IamA Former SR-71 Pilot and Squadron Commander, AMA!

I grew up in Southwestern Wisconsin. One summer day, 15-20 years ago, the whole house shook, the china rattled, and a huge boom shook everything in my body.

The local rumor was that a blackbird had some sort of emergency mechanical problem and needed to go top speed back to a base immediately in the southern midwest states. Have you heard of this?

The sonic boom was pretty incredible!

1)...have you heard of this? Yes, the SR-71 preformed the EAA airshow at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It had a major malfunction and landed in Milwaukee. The vibration you felt was probably the plane flying low and the afterburners kicking in.

Hi Col. Graham, thank you for answering our questions!

1. What was the pilot selection process for the SR-71?
2. What was it like flying the plane for the first time?
3. Were you allowed to tell your family about flying the SR-71 or was it still a classified? When were you allowed to tell them and was was their reaction like?

Thanks again!

1. What was the pilot selection process for the SR-71? It is rather involved, however first you apply, then invite you to Beale Air Force Base, California for a week worth of interviews, flying evaluations, and physicals.

2.What was it like flying the plane for the first time? With so much simulator time, 137 hours, before I even stepped foot in the real plane, so the first flight was natural.

3.Were you allowed to tell your family about flying the SR-71 or was it still a classified? When were you allowed to tell them and was was their reaction like? Everyone knew the SR-71, but not its capabilities or its missons. Everything was declassified in 1990, which allowed me to write my four books.

How accurate is the simulator vs actually flying the plane?

1. How accurate is the simulator vs actually flying the plane? The simulator flew just like the airplane flew, and transitioning to the SR-71 was extremely natural. All emergency operations were practiced in the simulator.

Col. Graham - thanks for the AMA! It's really exciting to have you here. I've been a big fan of the A-12/SR-71 for a while and reading your latest book only served to feed the obsession!

What was the most tense moment from your time flying the SR-71? What surprised you the most as you got into the program and trained to fly the Blackbird?

1. What was the most tense moment from your time flying the SR-71? I was on a mission over in Okinawa Japan, and heading to Russian territory, and three Russian MiG-25s came to intercept me in the air. However, they could not reach our altitude, and we stayed on course.

2. What surprised you the most as you got into the program and trained to fly the Blackbird? The thing that surprised me most was the precision to fly the airplane. In order to fly the SR-71 you had to be on track almost 100% of the time, no off course. Nothing like Vietnam, where you could fly a F-4 all across the sky.

Can you describe the experience of flying at those altitudes? To me the videos and pics I've seen of it can't be doing any justice.

1. Can you describe the experience of flying at those altitudes? To me the videos and pics I've seen of it can't be doing any justice. First of all, it is extremely quiet in the cockpit, you could hear a pin drop. The view is spectacular, being able to see the curvature of the Earth and the black space above filled with stars.

Thanks for answering. The quiet part surprises me. Could I get you to humor me and explain why it's so quiet.

The engines and most of the noise was behind you, behind the sound barrier. The cockpit was pressurized and the suit helped insulate nearly all noises. Thanks for asking the question!

While flying such lengthy missions in near complete silence, how do you stay sharp and focused? Do you go into a near hypnotic zone? I can just imagine getting lost in the stars while in complete silence for so long with such a great view.

1. ...how do you stay sharp and focused? It was too busy of a cockpit to fall into a hypnotic state. However the view and quietness was enough to remember it forever.

Good morning Colonel!

My grandfather, Jim Kogler, was an RSO for the SR-71. He passed many years ago from aggressive cancer, but I thought I'd say hello.

Do you have any offhand memories of my grandfather? I'm sure most of the stories have been recorded, but if anything comes to mind, I'd be really happy to hear it.

My family still occasionally talks about 977 and Jim's ejection. (A wheel assembly failed, causing the plane to abort takeoff and skid past the end of the runway.)

According to family legend, Mrs. Kogler was actually watching that takeoff; seeing the plane burst into flames but not having a chance to see any ejection, she went to find the military chaplain to save him the trip!

Edit: To be clear, Jim ejected safely. The pilot was also fine and rode out the plane to the end of its momentum. Here's a page with more detail about the incident and in particular a picture of 977 immediately afterwards.

1. Do you have any offhand memories of my grandfather? Im afraid I do not have any offhand memories, however he did frequent the Blackbird reunions and everyone speaks highly of him, as he was a great man. Thanks to you and your family!

What does breaking the sound barrier feel like, do you notice it?

1. What does breaking the sound barrier feel like, do you notice it? Absolutely nothing, it unfortunately had no sensation as it looks like outside the plane. About the only thing that did happen passing through it was the three instruments, air speed, vertical speed, and altimeter jiggled.

Are you still in touch with other pilots from the SR-71 program?

1.Are you still in touch with other pilots from the SR-71 program? Yes, we have a reunion every two years with the crew members.

I recently watched a video on youtube where you describe the SR-71 for a full hour. You noted how while there were leaks of the JP-7 fuel on the ground, the amount was often exaggerated by everyone who says basically that you have to refuel as soon as you are airborne. In reality how long did you really have before you had to do the in-air refueling?

Also can you talk about other myths you've seen perpetuated about the aircraft?

Finally are there any books you can recommend regarding the SR-71? I would have loved to get a hold of Brian Shul's book but it is out of print, sadly.

1. In reality how long did you really have before you had to do the in-air refueling? You were good for about an hour thirty before you had to refuel. If it was a long mission, you could refuel right after take off however.

2. Also can you talk about other myths you've seen perpetuated about the aircraft? Some people believe the plane actually stretches in flight. In reality, the plane is 106ft and after it is heated up, it stretches to about 106ft 5in.

3. Finally are there any books you can recommend regarding the SR-71? Anyone of my four books (Found on amazon)! Haha I did not come here to advertise, but I believe my books will cover everything I know about the plane!

How does engaging the afterburners feel compared to accelerating in a sports car?

1. How does engaging the afterburners feel compared to accelerating in a sports car? Lighting the afterburners is a very smooth acceleration because the thrust-to-weight ratio was low due to weight of the airplane, unlike a car were punching the throttle pins you to the back of your seat.

First off, welcome to Reddit Colonel! I have to imagine that you never really got sick of aviation. Do you still fly, or did the weekend VFR mood ever strike you after you retired from the USAF? Also, was there much in the way of boldface emergency procedures traveling at 80,000 ft going mach 3, or we you pretty much SOL if something went wrong up there?

1. I still fly, infact I still instruct aviation students in my area.

2. All of the pilots were well trained in the simulators on the ground. There were quite a few boldface emergency operations in the event of an emergency. Such as an engine fire would be shutting the engine down, even at 80,000ft going mach 3+.

How long was an average mission? How did you go to the bathroom?

1. The average mission was about four hours, however the longest I have flown the SR-71 on one mission was for about 8 hours.

2. To go #1, you have a urine collection device (UCD) which you freely go and it collects in the UCD. To go #2, you had to bear it and do it in your suit, unfortunately!

Did you see that happen? The going #2 in your pants.

I never had to use either actually, however another pilot had done #2 and sat in it for around four hours, and had to be rushed to the flight surgeon.

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1. How bad was the fuel leakage on that beast? Not as bad as it is said, it is overly exaggerated, but it did leak fuel. A cool fact about the fuel is that the fuel (JT-7) would not ignite even if a lighter was thrown in the flame, due to it's high flash point.

You can find all sorts of information about the Blackbird all over the place....what is something that about the blackbird that only people with intimate knowledge might know?

Also, how do you feel about the blackbird being retired?

1. what is something that about the blackbird that only people with intimate knowledge might know? The SR-71 has never been over the land mass of Russia or China, despite being a reconnaissance plane. You simply flew around the outskirts!

2. Also, how do you feel about the blackbird being retired? I would like to see it flying today, as I believe there is still a need for it, but new technology such as satellites and drones easily replace the need for it.

In another pilot's interview he said that the pressure suit was a not uncommon reason for candidates to wash out of the SR-71 and U-2 programs, Do you agree and how well did you take to being in a pressure suit for hours and hours at a time?

1. Do you agree and how well did you take to being in a pressure suit for hours and hours at a time? I have never heard people of dropping out because of the pressure suits, and I had never had a big problem with the suits. You could even control the temperature!

How did the SR- navigate over open oceans and foreign territory? Was it all based on inertial navigation, or were you guys the first ones using the fore-runners of modern GPS, or something totally different? I can't imagine retuning to a new TACAN station every 30 seconds at mach 3 near home either.

1. How did the SR- navigate over open oceans and foreign territory? As /u/huffalump1 commented before me, the plane tracked the stars to navigate itself, simply put.

With all that experience, did you ever think about becoming an astronaut or working with NASA otherwise?

1. With all that experience, did you ever think about becoming an astronaut or working with NASA otherwise? Not really, I still enjoyed the flying experience and the pressure suit was enough space-like for me.

1) What was the failure rate during training? I know it was intense, but so were all the candidates.

2) If I can only afford one of your books right now, which one would you recommend? (I'm sure they will all eventually make it onto my book shelf over time)

3) Any specific place I should purchase them so you get more of the cut? (I admit I am completely ignorant of how publishing deals work)

1. What was the failure rate during training? Believe it or not, the failure rate was extremely low, as we picked candidates we believed were experienced enough, and most if any failed during the preliminary examinations.

2.If I can only afford one of your books right now, which one would you recommend? My latest one, however the most expensive, seems to be the most popular out of all my books. It is much less technical savvy than my other books.

3.Any specific place I should purchase them so you get more of the cut? Any place is fine, as it all comes the same. If reddit would really like, if you would PM me information, you could purchase an autographed copy from me.

EDIT: The autographed copy is available to anyone, just PM for info. EDIT2: If intereseted in the autographed copy, look up user "sr-71pilot" on eBay to find my account. You can contact me there.

Hello Col. Graham, and thank you for you service!

Was there any additional training involved in becoming an operator of a blackbird?

Were the seats comfortable?

What is the fastest you ever went in an SR-71?

1. What is the fastest you ever went in an SR-71? I have been to 3.2 Mach, but the fastest it was flown was by a Lockheed Martin test pilot, at 3.4 Mach.

1. Training was 9 months long, and was extremely intense, specifically for the SR-71.

2. They were reasonably comfortable, however the seat was made to eject and your were tightly strapped into the seat and on long durations any seat can be made uncomfortable!

First of all, thank you for doing this AMA! I (and the rest of the world) have always been fascinated by the SR-71. My dad is based out of Dulles, VA, and often tells the story of how when the SR-71 was ferried to Udvar-Hazy it sat out front of a FBO (same one my dad was at) and was guarded 24/7.

I've read that the preflight for the pilots took an amazing amount of time prior to flight and had very unusual procedures. Besides these, did you do anything special to prepare yourself for flight?

1....did you do anything special to prepare yourself for flight? Getting a good night sleep, and the morning of you had a ritual meal of steak and eggs, and before stepping into the plane you had to take a brief physical.

Thank you for your service.

Was there ever a moment in your career when you were terrified or awestruck-- either from a brush with death (not necessarily in the blackbird), or by the idea that mankind had created the technology that made that plane work?

1. Was there ever a moment in your career when you were terrified or awestruck-- either from a brush with death (not necessarily in the blackbird), or by the idea that mankind had created the technology that made that plane work? I felt much safer in the SR-71 than the F-4s in Vietnam, and I have great respect to former pilots of the F-4s. The SR-71 was actually made using only slide-rules, not utilizing any computers! From the time Kelly Johnson began bending metal to build the A-12, the plane was up in the air in only 18 months!

So I have this idea in my head that all pilots are rock stars. I'd imagine someone flying an SR-71 for 7 years was about as big of a rock star as they get. Were you married during these 7 years?

1. Were you married during these 7 years? I was married, and had plenty of time at home during my years of service.

When you were a child what did you want to do with your life?

1. When you were a child what did you want to do with your life? Simply fly! My father was a pilot in the navy and he taught me to fly as a teenager.

If money were no obstacle, which aircraft would you park in your hangar?

1. If money were no obstacle, which aircraft would you park in your hangar? Haha tough question. First off, I would love a hangar, and second off if I had a long enough runway, I would take the T-38. Fun airplane to fly and very reliable.

I guess I'll be that person. Did you ever see a UFO?

1. Did you ever see a UFO? No, I have never seen a UFO....

Col. Graham, first thanks for taking the time to answer our questions! In his book "Sled Driver", Brian Schul discusses how disturbing unstarts were in the SR-71. Can you describe your reaction to the first time you experienced an unstart while flying? Thanks again!

1. Can you describe your reaction to the first time you experienced an unstart while flying? First of all, unstarts were practiced in the simulator on the ground. In flight, unstarts are sometimes mild and sometimes violent depending on the power setting at the time of the unstart. I had multiple unstarts, but the SR-71 has an automatic restart in case of unstarts, all the pilot has to do is maintain control of the craft. The only frightening part of an unstart is the one good jolt you get when the unstart happens. Infact, a couple pressure suit helmets have been cracked by hitting the canopy during an unstart.

Do you have any suggestions for an aspiring military pilot? I'm currently studying for the ASTB, and would love some real world pointers from someone as experienced and decorated as you. Thanks!

1. Do you have any suggestions for an aspiring military pilot? Thank you for the compliment! I recommend to getting as much civilian flying time before joining the Air Force, if possible. I had around 300 hours before I even joined the Air Force.

Thank you for doing this AMA; what endorsements did you get before joining the Air Force?

1. ...what endorsements did you get before joining the Air Force? I'm not completely sure what you mean by endorsements, but before I joined I already had my pilots license and a total of 300+ logged hours of flying time.

Hello Colonel! Thank you for your service, and you sir, are the bad ass many of us want to be one day!

Many people ask about how cool it is to be in an SR-71 and what not, so what I'm asking is what was your scariest experience during your service? Also, were things that you ever did that you regret doing?

Thanks for this AMA! I'm sure many people will find it very interesting!

1. ..what was your scariest experience during your service? Believe it or not, flying F-4s in Vietnam was much scarier than flying the SR-71, as no one can catch you at 80,000ft @ Mach 3+.

2. Also, were things that you ever did that you regret doing? Nothing I can think of, to me I think I had an ideal flying career (I flew for 20 years out of 25 years total in the USAF). I do not have any regrets about not doing something either.

As someone who aspires to space travel, I have to say first and foremost that I am insanely jealous of your experience. The SR-71 is my favorite aircraft, and comes pretty close to the top of my favorite spacecraft list too!

I have to ask: has there been anything non-SR-71-related in your life that has been comparable to the intensity, excitement, or overall experience of flying the Blackbird?

1. ...has there been anything non-SR-71-related in your life that has been comparable to the intensity, excitement, or overall experience of flying the Blackbird? The only thing that comes close to flying the SR-71 was the combat in F-4s in Vietnam, as it was a whole different game.

One of the legends I've heard about the SR-71 was that at full speed the canopy glass would get so hot at that if the pilot touched it with his finger, it would bulge out. Is there any truth to that? Are there any other weird physical things that happen to man and machine at mach 3?

1. ..Is there any truth to that? At Mach 3.2, the window in front of my eyes, on the outside, reaches 622F. I estimate the temperature inside the temperature inside to be between 300-400F. I can only put my pressure suit glove against the window for ten seconds before pulling it off. I never heard of the glass bulging out, however.

2.Are there any other weird physical things that happen to man and machine at mach 3? Nothing really unusual comes to mind, sorry.

Can you tell us a bit about the guy in the back seat?

1. Can you tell us a bit about the guy in the back seat? The back-seaters are air-force navigators. The duty title of reconnaissance systems officer, or RSO for short. They worked all the cameras and sensors and kept the plane on course, but had no control over the movement of the plane.

Hi Graham, I've read your book SR71 revealed and was really excited about it. I wanted to thank you for sharing your amazing experience flying this incredible plane. I still have a hard time figuring how the J-58/inlets process work above mach 1.6. First I understood the supersonic shock waves were guided thanks to the spike to a precise angle into the inlet and then with a series of calculated angles slowed to subsonic speeds before entering the J58. I thought this supersonic air was also routed around the engine and directly sent to the afterburner portion creating a ramjet. Could you please share your knowledges about what give the SR the Mach 3+ propulsion abilities?

Thanks again for your service and passion!

I still have a hard time figuring how the J-58/inlets process work above mach 1.6 Difficult question. At Mach 3.2, the J-58 engines put out only 20% of the thrust. 80% of the thrust comes from utilizing the Mach 3.2 air entering the inlet, staying contained around the engine, bypassing the engine, and augmenting the afterburners. The simplest explanation of whats happening would be you holding a hose with water shooting out of it, reaching around two feet in front of you. But if you clamp your finger over the end of the hose, the water will shoot much further at a much greater velocity. Thats exactly what is happening to the air coming into the inlet and augmenting the afterburner. I hope this answers your question!

I loved the SR-71 growing up! Do you believe the work done on the SR-71 broke ground for other projects like the X-37? Also, what is the craziest fact about the SR-71 in your opinion?

1. Do you believe the work done on the SR-71 broke ground for other projects like the X-37? The SR-71 was ground-breaking and more than likely lead to further research and development of more advanced aircraft.

2. Also, what is the craziest fact about the SR-71 in your opinion? The plane actually elongates by 5inches in flight, due to the heat caused by the air resistance from the sheer speed of the plane. Keep in mind the air is extremely thin at 80,000ft and at a temperature of -70F.

Hello Col. Graham, I would like to thank you for taking the time and doing this IAMA. Now to the question: In your experience, how does the SR-71 handle at low speeds, as to high speeds? To clarify what I'm asking, if you were to move Tiller at super sonic speeds, would you already be hundreds of meters off, or can does it compensate for sensitivity, where you can move it by a couple of meters, as I've heard being on exact courses was very important when doing recon missions.

1. In your experience, how does the SR-71 handle at low speeds, as to high speeds? When you are subsonic, if you pull the control stick, the airplane will react immediately where at supersonic (mach 3), the plane reacts much slower to compensate for sensitivity.

You sir, are bad ass!!! What was the most extreme, for lack of a better word, area you traveled to? The most eye opening culture you've come across?

1. What was the most extreme, for lack of a better word, area you traveled to? I lived in Taiwan on C.C.K. Air Force Base for about 8 years, on and off, and their culture was extremely different than ours back then.

Good morning Col. Graham!

I'm going to be heading to UPT next summer, I'll graduate in May. I'd be happy with any aircraft but my lifelong dream is to fly fighters. What should I focus on to track T-38s and get to fly what I want?

Thanks for your service, sir! Air power!

1. What should I focus on to track T-38s and get to fly what I want? As mentioned in another comment, I suggest getting much flying time as a civilian if possible, and begin to read literature on the T-38s to gain knowledge specifically on the plane. Good luck!

Did you ever fly an SR-71 with a D-21 attached.

Edit. Changed D-71 to D-21

1. Did you ever fly an SR-71 with a D-71 attached? I think you mean the D-21, the drone mounted on top the SR-71. I did not fly the SR-71 equipped with the D-21, as it was before my time with the plane.

Colonel, how good of shape were you in when you started training to become a pilot?

1. How good of shape were you in when you started training to become a pilot? Lean and mean! As a fighter pilot, the most important muscle for your body is your stomach muscles in order to pull more Gs. I frequently did sit-ups to strengthen them.

Are there things you can do with the SR-71 that no other aircraft can do?

1. Are there things you can do with the SR-71 that no other aircraft can do? Fly 2,000+mph at 80,000ft!

Thank you for this AMA.

Can you find anything negative to say about the SR-71?

1. Can you find anything negative to say about the SR-71? Its hard to find anything negative about the plane, as I was trained to fly it as it was, not what it was supposed to be, if you understand that. Im sure there were some flaws and negatives about the plane but none comes to mind.

After flying around at Mach 3, do you still find training students in a 152 exciting? Thanks and welcome to reddit!!!

1. After flying around at Mach 3, do you still find training students in a 152 exciting? Flying students in an 152 is probably on the same level as the SR-71, quite frankly because they are students!

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1. Did you happen to know a man named Robert J. Baer? I do not remember your grandfather, however some generals of that rank were taken up in the plane for joyrides!