IamA Former SR-71 Pilot and Wing Commander, AMA! Pt.2

Good morning sir.

How it feels like to fly at altitude of 85,000 feet for the first time? I mean, at this altitude you can see Earth's curvature and you are literally at the edge of space. Is it impressed you very much?

Thank you.

P.S.: sorry for grammar, I'm not native english speaker.

How it feels like to fly at altitude of 85,000 feet for the first time? I mean, at this altitude you can see Earth's curvature and you are literally at the edge of space. Is it impressed you very much? The view from 85,000ft was tremendous. I will always have on memory those views from the cockpit. During the day, if you looked directly above you, you could view the stars.

Your english is great. Thank you for the question

How was it going from flying the SR-71 to flying the MD-80? Did you ever feel slow as it took you hours to cross a couple states? And wearing a shirt and tie versus the suit you wore in the SR-71.

Also is it true they kept the SR-71 cockpit cooled to freezing? Was it uncomfortably cold?

How was it going from flying the SR-71 to flying the MD-80? Did you ever feel slow as it took you hours to cross a couple states? Haha you just had to slow things down a little bit, from Mach 3+ to subsonic. Also, you had to take care of the passengers.

Also is it true they kept the SR-71 cockpit cooled to freezing? Was it uncomfortably cold? The cockpit temperature was controllable, and I usually kept the cockpit at 75 degrees fahrenheit.

How many different Blackbirds did you pilot? I have read they had personalities...Was there one in particular that was a "problem" or had quirks?

How many different Blackbirds did you pilot? I have read they had personalities...Was there one in particular that was a "problem" or had quirks? Each airplane was very unique in how it flew. The best flying SR we had was tail number 972. It always flew well and predictable.

Could you elaborate on planes flying "predictable?"

I'm picturing each plane having its own personality.

Could you elaborate on planes flying "predictable? Predictable meaning you knew how it was going to behave. With the SR-71, due to the heating, it was very unpredictable. You never knew which instrument would fail or act up due to the heating.

What was the scariest moment you had during a flight?

What was the scariest moment you had during a flight? Probably the scariest, believe it or not, was flying for American Airlines MD-80, when at 37,000ft and the windshield in front of me cracked. It became opaque, and severly limited my view. I thought I was done for, but we landed and im still standing.

Col Graham, did they ever figure out the cause?

..did they ever figure out the cause? Not that I am aware of.

When instructing (in a 172 or something similar) do you ever think, "man this thing can turn on a dime!"?

When instructing (in a 172 or something similar) do you ever think, "man this thing can turn on a dime!"? The SR-71 turn radius, for a 30 degree bank angle and a 90 degree turn, was 70 nautical miles. To do 180 degrees, its a 140 nautical turn radius. Instructing is a little easier.

As part of your check ride did you have to do turns around a point? What point did you choose? Lake Michigan? Maui?

As part of your check ride did you have to do turns around a point? What point did you choose? Lake Michigan? Maui? Haha no, in the SR-71 we did not choose a point to turn about.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but do you think you'd fly an SR-71 again if you were given the opportunity?

...but do you think you'd fly an SR-71 again if you were given the opportunity? 100%.

Are there any previously classified experiences you can share with us?

Are there any previously classified experiences you can share with us? We flew missons over Cuba for three years classified. All information regarding the plane has been declassified.

Hello Rich, thanks for doing this AMA!

I am sorry this going to be long so I hope you will bear with me, there are several things I wish to ask.

1. The center of gravity is a critical factor in the SR-71 because of the narrow margins of stability chosen for the aircraft. In the subsonic range the Center of Gravity (CG) had to be between 17-22% of the wing chord length, while in the supersonic range it had to be set (using the fuel transfer) to 25-26% for fuel efficiency. My question is whether the different CG settings were there to compensate for the shift in center of pressure between subsonic and supersonic speeds, or was it because in the subsonic speeds it was better to have a more stable aircraft with its CG slightly forward?

2. From maintenance standpoint what was the aircraft like, was it maintenance heavy? What was its biggest problem?

3. On the same note, it was said that the body of the jet was effectively re-tempered during flight because of the high temperatures involved. On the other hand there is an account by a crew chief that says that there were common structural failures due to the stress of fast flight. Any way you can elaborate on this?

4. I'm interested in your experience during the 1973 Yom Kippur War (Giant Reach/Busy Pilot). These were the first extreme long duration missions, some 10 hours if I'm not mistaken. How many missions did you fly during that war, were you aware of any intercept attempts or missile launches by the Egyptians, the Syrians and the Israeli forces? Any interesting experiences during that time?

5. It was said that SR-71 pilots in training had to unlearn different habits because the aircraft was so different than any other, that the pilot flew vectors not headings. What does it really mean, flying vectors?

6. lastly the next question you have probably heard a hundred times, and answered a hundred times over. As I understand, in your experience the Foxbat (Mig-25) and the Foxhound (Mig-31) were not much of a threat to a Blackbird in cruise. But I ask of your thoughts on Russian and Swedish accounts of apparently successful intercepts. In particular the swedes say they would constantly detect a Foxbat-E (Mig-25PD/PDS) in 63,000 ft (19,200 m) and 1.8 miles (2.9 km) in trail of the HABU just as it was about to leave the Baltic. I also would like to note that the Russians say they wouldn't turn their radars on, so its signals wouldn't be picked up by the DEF and ELINT systems. They would use their Infra Red sensors since the SR-71 is such a hot aircraft with a blazing afterburner in contrast to the cold skies. They would only turn the radar on if they intended to shoot. So most likely the HABUs were never aware of these intercepts. Do you have any thoughts about this? Whether it was feasible, whether you had some kind of intelligence about it?

Thanks Again!

EDIT:Messed up with the dates on question number 4. sorry!

EDIT2: Obligatory gold edit: thanks stranger, though I am a bit embarrassed that on this gilded post I messed up badly with a question (#4).

1. It would take an engineer to figure that out. Im just the pilot. I will return if I have time.

2. The SR-71 was extremely maintenance heavy. If it came down from a misson, with absolutely no damage or concerns, it took a minimum of 24 hours to return to flight. The biggest problem is that the plane got very hot, and created many emergencies.

3. We have only had one structural failure on stress flight, because the pilot exceeded the limitations of the airplane. Yes, the heating and cooling retempers the airplane, strengthening the titanium body.

4. I was not in the program in 1973. I joined in June 1974. I have written about it, but all my knowledge is second hand. I do not believe the countries knew that the plane was overhead, due to poor radar capabilities.

5. You didn't have to unlearn flying habits, just pick up many new ones. It flies completely different than any other bird. The SR-71 flew using a precise ground-track to allow for good recon.

6. The misson you are referring to in the Baltic Sea is a misson where we had to slow down to 2.8 Mach to complete the turn, and the swedes intercepted then. And personally, those intercepts they claim I do not believe were completely true.

Thanks for all the questions! Sorry about number 1!

Thank you very much for your answers. No sweat about question number 1, it was a long shot anyways. But I'd like to follow on that question with another, if I may. If in the "Hot Leg" you would encounter a problem affecting the stability of the aircraft, say a sideslip or an oscillation, would the procedures demand moving the GC forward just to make the aircraft more stable and less likely to depart controlled flight, or the CG was to be fixed at all times no matter what?

I also messed up with the dates with the Yom Kippur War and read the account in your book: "flying the SR-71" as your own, sorry. In any case, there are accounts from the Israelis that noticed the SR-71 overflights, not during Yom Kippur War, maybe later on. the first few time they apparently were at a complete loss what the hell was that thing, but they did try to intercept, without success.

If in the "Hot Leg" you would encounter a problem affecting the stability of the aircraft, say a sideslip or an oscillation, would the procedures demand moving the GC forward just to make the aircraft more stable and less likely to depart controlled flight, or the CG was to be fixed at all times no matter what? No, the center of gravity (CG) moved aft from subsonic to supersonic. And then, it is mantained automatically by moving fuel from tank to tank.

No problem about #4! Thanks for the questions!

We have only had one structural failure on stress flight, because the pilot exceeded the limitations of the airplane. Yes, the heating and cooling retempers the airplane, strengthening the titanium body.

Can you expand on this? Just how fast did the pilot take his aircraft?

Can you expand on this? Just how fast did the pilot take his aircraft? The over-stressed due to a combination of his speed and the G forces pulled through the maneuver. There are specific maximum speeds for certain maneuvers.

Have you ever been to Area 51? If so what's it like?

Have you ever been to Area 51? If so what's it like? Yes I have, twice. Its all classified.....

What did you find to be the most difficult part about your training?

What did you find to be the most difficult part about your training? For SR-71 Training, getting through the simulator was most difficult. We typically eliminated crews that could not preform in the simulator. I had 137 hours in the simulator before I stepped my first SR. Most people washed out from the program during the simulator.

How many chicks do you think I could pick up in a Blackbird?

How many chicks do you think I could pick up in a Blackbird? It was a chick magnet for sure.

Colonel, how does flying the Blackbird compare to some of the other types you've experienced over your career? Thank you for your service and your time, sir!

Colonel, how does flying the Blackbird compare to some of the other types you've experienced over your career? The SR-71 Blackbird was a very mental airplane. Every process requires such great detail, when as like an F-4, you just fly them with little thought about each move.**

Thank you!

You may have answered this before; when you're up flying for hours, what do you eat? MRE's?

...when you're up flying for hours, what do you eat? MRE's? Similar to MRE's, we ate Tube Food. It was giant toothpaste dispenser that contained our meals for the flight. My favorite meal was the beef and gravy. It came with a feeding tube that you squeezed the into the pressure suit helmet iris.

When during the flight would you be able to spare the time to heat up (using the windows) and eat the meal?

When during the flight would you be able to spare the time to heat up (using the windows) and eat the meal? We were not over the "take" area over the recon area for much more than one minute. Getting there and back or to the tanker is where you could heat up your food. Cool fact, the windows at Mach 3.2 the glass window in front of my eyes was 622 degrees fahrenheit at 85,000ft, where the outside temperature was -70 degrees fahrenheit.

Col Graham,

While a pilot for the SR-71 Reconnaissance Program, to what extent were you detached from the information gathered on missions? Did you ever have moments when something about a news story would “click” and you’d have a solid idea of why you’d recently flown over a particular country?

...to what extent were you detached from the information gathered on missions? Most crews were detached from the misson. Very seldom did we have permission to view the pictures take on the recon misson.

Did you ever have moments when something about a news story would “click” and you’d have a solid idea of why you’d recently flown over a particular country? Not until we had SAMS fired at us or MiGs tailing behind.

Not until we had SAMS fired at us or MiGs tailing behind.

Is this an instance where you'd haul ass out of there using the SR-71 to its full potential? Did you ever have fighter jet escorts? Or even the need for it?

Is this an instance where you'd haul ass out of there using the SR-71 to its full potential? Did you ever have fighter jet escorts? Or even the need for it? We never had any escorts because there was no need. You were allowed to speed up to avoid SAMs or tailing aircraft or if you thought you were in harms way.

Col Graham, What was your favorite airplane to fly other than the blackbird? Why? Thank you from an AFROTC cadet!

Col Graham, What was your favorite airplane to fly other than the blackbird? Why? The F-4 Phantom was my second favorite airplane to fly. It was a solid airplane for combat in Vietnam, and was much more manuveurable than the SR.

Sir, do you still remember any of your mechanics? And if so? Do you keep in touch?

Sir, do you still remember any of your mechanics? And if so? Do you keep in touch? Absolutely. We have our Blackbird reunion every 2 years in Reno, Nevada. Most of all the team, including mechanics, reps, crews all show up.

Is the top speed actually Mach 3.5 ish? I heard it was actually a lot more.

Is the top speed actually Mach 3.5 ish? I heard it was actually a lot more. The top speed for an Air Force pilot was 3.3 Mach. A test pilot, Bob Gillilland, has had it up to 3.4 Mach. As far as I know, it has never been beyond that.

hi Colonel,

1: What is the most maneuverable plane you have ever flown?

2: What is the plane other than the SR-71 that makes you go "Man, i want to have a go on that"?

1. Most maneuverable plane I have ever flown was an Extra-300.

2. The F-22 Raptor

If you were flying directly over me at like 80,000 feet and I looked up would I be able to see a little jet way up high or nothing at all?

If you were flying directly over me at like 80,000 feet and I looked up would I be able to see a little jet way up high or nothing at all? Nothing at all.

What made you want to become a pilot?

What made you want to become a pilot? My father taught me how to fly at the age of 17 years old. He was a Navy pilot. The rest is history.

This one is a bit of a long shot, and I'm mostly looking forward to reading all the other excellent questions and responses (and thankyou so much for your time sharing your amazing experiences!), but here goes.

This picture is a U-2 cockpit, and neither I nor my friends can work out what the vertical tape-like instrument is on the far left of the display, with a bug(?) at 6 and a white ".35" readout.

An SR-71 seems like simultaneously the closest and furthest thing from a U-2 that exists, so I wondered if you might have any ideas!

Thankyou again for your time, and your service.

The instrument that you are pointing to is, I believe, the MACH number the plane is traveling at.

Hopefully that helps!

Is it true there was just silence when you were flying so fast in the blackbird?

Is it true there was just silence when you were flying so fast in the blackbird? It was very quiet in the plane, the communication from you to the navigator was the only noise heard.

Kirk or Picard?

Kirk or Picard? Kirk

Mr. Graham, as a young person who loves learning about aviation, studying aircraft, and hopes to be a military aviator one day I can't thank you enough for taking the time to do this AMA, I really appreciate it. I have three questions, I hope that's ok.

1. As a kid, did you want to be a pilot when you grew up?

2. I've read you flew Wild Weasel missions during the Vietnam war, do you have any interesting stories you remember from that time?

3. What words of wisdom or advice would you have offer to anyone who hope to become a pilot like you some day?

As a kid, did you want to be a pilot when you grew up? Yes, my father taught me how to fly at 17 years old. Thats where I caught the USAF dream.

I've read you flew Wild Weasel missions during the Vietnam war, do you have any interesting stories you remember from that time? The one that sticks out was Christmas of December of 1972, when we bombed North Vietnam and basically ended the war. Hundreds of airplanes above Vietnam simultaneously, all at night, with each plane blacked out. The fear of a mid-air collision with a friendly was extremely present.

What words of wisdom or advice would you have offer to anyone who hope to become a pilot like you some day? Stay in school, study and get good grades. It will come natural if you have the motivation and true desire to fly.

Thank you so much for the response! Was the feeling of dodging missiles in an F-4 different than dodging them in a Blackbird?

Was the feeling of dodging missiles in an F-4 different than dodging them in a Blackbird? In the F-4, your best chance of survivalbility was to see the SAM missle visually. In the SR, we relied on on the sheer speed and altitude, and jammers to remove the threat.

Does it really leak fuel on the tarmac by design?

Does it really leak fuel on the tarmac by design? Not by design, but because of the heating of cooling from 400 Fahrenheit to enviorment temperature caused the expansion of titanium and lead to leaks.

Hi Col. Grahm, Been a long time lurker and I was so excited when I saw you doing this AMA. Thanks so much for doing this!

1. What was your favourite mechanical aspect of the sled? This can include things from the cockpit, or just while flying.

2. Did individual crews ever customize their their blackbirds or do anything to "make it their own?"

3. What was the recruitment process for getting pilots for the blackbird? What was it like doing your first simulation and seeing the plane in real life?

4. Looking back, in Vietnam did the F-4 have any characteristics that you loved and wish you had on the blackbird and vice versa?

5. Did you have any extreme SAM scares while in Vietnam?

6. Have you ever had to eject out of an aircraft? If so what was the end result and what was it like?

Thanks so much again!

1. The cockpit was extremely well laid out, for pressure suit flying especially.

2. No, unfortunately. We did not have our own SR-71 for each crew.

3. There was no recruitment process. You had to volunteer for the program and pass it. Simply put, the simulator was difficult, much more difficult than the actual SR.

4. The F-4 maneuverability was tremendous. I wish the Blackbird had the same capability, but the speed was tremendous, which I wish the F-4 had.

5. While flying the Wild Weasel missons in the F-4, we saw many SAMs fired. None came close to me. I saw many fellow pilots shot down with SAMs.

6. Never had to eject, fortunately. Came close a few times however.

Good morning Col. Graham.

Thank you for serving this country and doing the job that most citizens could not even fathom to understand.

It is a privilege and honor to chat with you today!!!

I could not wait until your new book arrived "The Complete Book of the SR-71 Blackbird: The Illustrated Profile of Every Aircraft, Crew, and Breakthrough of the World's Fastest Stealth Jet"

What was the most difficult part of writing such a powerhouse of a book?

After spending a total of 31 days in that beautiful girl, what is the single best memory of flying at Mach 3?

I have a few pieces of memorabilia, what momentos do you have from flying the Sled?

Thanks again, have a great day!!!

What was the most difficult part of writing such a powerhouse of a book? The permisson for all the high-resoultution, color photos was extremely difficult, and had to contact many members SR-71 Community and Lockheed Martin, especially.

After spending a total of 31 days in that beautiful girl, what is the single best memory of flying at Mach 3? The tremendous views at 80,000ft. The curvature of the Earth's horizon was absolutely stunning.

I have a few pieces of memorabilia, what momentos do you have from flying the Sled? I have my pressure suit, my mach 3+ patch, flight suits, etc. Plenty safe to assume.

Thanks for the questions!

How tricky was it to take fuel from a KC-135? the SR-71 couldn't have been good at handling at those relatively low speeds, could it?

BTW I did avionics maintenance on KC-135's a million years ago.

How tricky was it to take fuel from a KC-135? the SR-71 couldn't have been good at handling at those relatively low speeds, could it? Refueling the SR is about the same as any other, in difficulty.

The SR-71 was built with 1950s and 1960s technology. How would the piloting experience differ if they built it today? Would it be less fun if it were easier to fly?

The SR-71 was built with 1950s and 1960s technology. How would the piloting experience differ if they built it today? Would it be less fun if it were easier to fly? Today's technology would allow a lot more automation within the aircraft. It wouldn't feel as if you were flying it as much as it was flying you.

how excited are you for scramjets?

how excited are you for scramjets? I am looking forward to them being developed, but it will a ways to go.

What is it like doing your first stall?

What is it like doing your first stall? I did my first stall with my father. Once I realized it is not similar to a car stall, shutting off, but totally different I was okay.

How long was your longest mission? If very long, could you sleep in this time?

How long was your longest mission? If very long, could you sleep in this time My longest mission was over 7 hours. No time for sleeping

Do you know around how many missiles were fired at you, and when they were was it even really an event or did you just give it a little extra gas and shoot a bird back behind you?

Do you know around how many missiles were fired at you, and when they were was it even really an event or did you just give it a little extra gas and shoot a bird back behind you? Nobody knows for sure how many missiles were fired at the SR-71, however Lockheed President Ben Rich quoted over 100 SAMs have been fired at the SR.

I have heard that SR-71 was pretty unstable plane to fly, If true what was the major complication behind ?

I have heard that SR-71 was pretty unstable plane to fly, If true what was the major complication behind ? The thin air at 85,000ft made it difficult to fly. A plane gets its lift from the particles of air traveling at different speeds above and below the wings, creating a high and low pressure system. If there is little air particles, it was more challenging to stay flying.

Hello Col. Richard Graham!
 
Do you know how far you traveled during your flight history in the SR-71?
 
I tried a calculation using the cruising speed of the plane as Mach 3.1
Mach 1 = 750 mph (for simplicity)
3.1 x 750mph x 765h = 1,778,625 miles of flight
Earth's circumference is about 24,901 miles around.
 
1,778,625 mi / 24,901 mi = 71 trips around the world over the course of 32 days.

Do you know how far you traveled during your flight history in the SR-71? Unfortunately, most of the time flying is not at 3.1 Mach. The cruise portion of a 2 hour flight is about an hour. The other hour is refueling, taking off, landing, etc. Thank you for the calculation though! I'd figure about half my time in the SR was at Mach 3.

Hi there. As a 40+ year old man, the Blackbird was a dream plane of mine when I was a boy. I was actually training to be a pilot but ended up on a different path. Thank you for inspiring people everywhere :)

The 60s-80s seemed to be an age where supersonic speed was something to be exploited heavily, both in military and commercially with craft like the Concorde, but we then seemed to lose that direction. What caused this change, in your opinion, and what would we stand to gain if we explored this area further?

The 60s-80s seemed to be an age where supersonic speed was something to be exploited heavily, both in military and commercially with craft like the Concorde, but we then seemed to lose that direction. What caused this change, in your opinion, and what would we stand to gain if we explored this area further? Difficult question. Until super-sonic travel is permitted over the US, the desire to develop a faster plane especially commerical will not exist.

Good morning Col, Thank you for doing this AMA, I have a kind of a random question but what was the burn rate of a SR-71 at normal cruise speed? I always wondered how much fuel they used.

.. have a kind of a random question but what was the burn rate of a SR-71 at normal cruise speed? The fuel consumption at Mach 3.0 cruise was around 21,000 lbs per hour, per engine. 42,000 lbs Per hour at Mach 3.0 cruise.

Col. Graham,

If I'm going do flight school around the Dallas area how do I look you up? Is there a website for your flightlessons/School?

I can be found at www.texinsflyingclub.com! Looking forward to meeting you!

Dear Colonel Richard Graham, Thank you for doing an IAmA again! What is the most unique memory you have experienced while flying the SR-71? Also, if it's unclassified, what was the highest speed/altitude you ever reached? Thank you so much!

What is the most unique memory you have experienced while flying the SR-71?Also, if it's unclassified, what was the highest speed/altitude you ever reached? Thank you so much!" The highest I have been 87,000ft, Mach 3.2. Flying the SR-71 near the North Pole and seeing the Aurora Borealis ("Northern Lights") right outside the cockpit.

Hello Colonel!

If you were to choose 1 military and 1 commercial aircraft to fly - but one you haven't flown yet - what would each be?

Thank you!

If you were to choose 1 military and 1 commercial aircraft to fly - but one you haven't flown yet - what would each be?

Military: F-22 Commerical: Dreamliner 787

What kind of strains and stresses on your body were happening while piloting the SR-71 on a recon mission? Did you expect them?

What kind of strains and stresses on your body were happening while piloting the SR-71 on a recon mission? Did you expect them? Depending on your background, mine as in a F-4 in combat, there is no more stress in an SR. Other pilots, with different backgrounds in other aircraft, may have felt different. Mental stress was caused to the difficulty of flying the SR-71.

Hi there!

I wanted your opinion on modern day technology. I feel that nowadays everytingh's boring, dull and uncool. I Always feel like back then (70-80) everything was like going to the moon, Flying a space shuttle, piloting an SR-71 (whose design spec were based only on coolness), taking a concorde to fly etc...etc...

Nowadays we are not even designing space shuttles anymore, the USAF is flying slow and boring drones instead of some mach-7 thing, and civilians are Flying in a A380 which specifications are boring details like 16% more fuel efficient, 6 db less noise in the cabin etc..etc.. Very useful but as dull as it can get.

What's your feeling about this?

What's your feeling about this?I have some of the same feelings that you do, that things were not as exciting as things were in the 70s and 80s, but this is life and technology.

Hello Col. Graham!

I've heard a lot about the SR-71 simulators that were used back in the day. Do you think any of them still exists? Or even better; Do you know if there is somewhere one could try flying in one of those simulators?

...Do you think any of them still exists? Or even better; Do you know if there is somewhere one could try flying in one of those simulators? There is only one SR-71 Real Simulator in the world, and it is here in Dallas, Texas. It is not operational however, completely static.

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Can you confirm or deny whether the SR-71 or it's variants was ever equipped with weapons? Yes, the YF-12 carried an Air-to-Air missile to shoot down enemy bombers. Three were developed in the mid-60s. Proved feasible, but never went into production.

Thank you for your service!

Question: it has been said the SR-71's "skin" heated to the point it stretched and could be penetrated by poking a sharp pencil through it.

Was this true?

it has been said the SR-71's "skin" heated to the point it stretched and could be penetrated by poking a sharp pencil through it. The skin of the plane heated up, and the airplane stretched a total of 5 inches in flight. However, I doubt sharp pencil would not pierce the titanium.

Hello Col.Graham,

I have a question about air force pilots today who are trying to become SR-71 pilots. How is the selection process like and how does that compare to other plane teams (B-2, F-15/16)?

Thank you

I have a question about air force pilots today who are trying to become SR-71 pilots. How is the selection process like and how does that compare to other plane teams (B-2, F-15/16)? All the SR-71s are retired, thus there is no selection process anymore. The selection process was stringent, and we only hired 2 crews a year for the volunteer program.

How often did you have to evade MiGs and SAMs? Do you just fly faster?

How often did you have to evade MiGs and SAMs? Do you just fly faster? I personally never had to evade any MiGs or SAMs. If they felt like a threat I would push the throttle.

Thank you for doing another AMA Colonel Graham.

Were you involved in flight tests for the SR-71? Did you have any thoughts when the M-21 with the D-21 drone was being tested?

Finally, what do you miss the most about flying the SR-71, compared to other planes you have piloted?

Thank you for your time!

Were you involved in flight tests for the SR-71? Did you have any thoughts when the M-21 with the D-21 drone was being tested? I was not in the program during that timeframe. The drone program was during the mid-60s.

...what do you miss the most about flying the SR-71, compared to other planes you have piloted? Knowing the job your doing for the US Intelligence Community was vital and important.

Good morning Col.

In terms of strategic reconnaissance, what direction do you see the airforce going in the next couple of decades?

In tend of strategic reconnaissance, what direction do you see the airforce going in the next couple of decades? Heavier reliance on drones and satellites.

What is one plane, past or present, from any era, that you would have most like to have flown if given the opportunity? Or how about one military plane and one commercial plane?

What is one plane, past or present, from any era, that you would have most like to have flown if given the opportunity P-51 Mustang

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What are some of the newest Air Force development projects that excite you the most? Hypersonic development

How do you see the role of pilots changing with an ever increasing importance on the RPA field? The only role I see is fewer pilots and more RPAs (Remotely Piloted Aircraft).