051 - SR-71 Blackbird

[@munozcampos]

RiP Shul! Legendary "sled driver" thank you for your service.

[@jamescatrett2608]

So sad to hear of his passing, but thankful for his motivational speeches, aviation & nature photography that will live on.......

[@Aussie1276]

I hate saying anything good about the Navy" Love it...classic Brian

[@rret6885]

The word hero is used lightly these days. Mr. Shul truly is one.

[@bobkohl6779]

Thank you for the time with Shul, what a delightful guy. Occasionally was woken up by 71s flying over in Palmdale coming out of Edwards. Eliabeth Shue is the actress

[@samsignorelli]

Re Shul getting buzzed...happened to me in 2005 driving through the same area....but it was an F-16. Probably 100 ft off the deck, maybe 300 knots. My father was a engineer at Convair and worked on that plane....kept me awake the rest of the drive to my Utah stopover! Shul gave a commander's call speech when I was in AF tech school in 85. It was the one CC that no one -- and I mean NO ONE, from the newest E-1 to the base CO -- wanted to ever end!

[@markrogers2170]

The A in A-12 is because CIA project was named Archangel and the 12 is because it was the 12th design. By the way amazing podcast and with the videos it just makes it that much better I love the behind the scenes especially.

[@taproom113]

Also, the A-12 flew slightly faster and higher than the "family model" SR. ^v^

[@klk1900]

Archangel is the U-2 program. The A-12 - Program:OXCART - plane name: Cygnus (spelling is different). They called them (Articles) they didn’t call it planes for secrecy reasons. Each plane was named A-1 A-2 etc but yes it was the 12th design so they loosely called it the A-12. But every Cygnus had a article number. The first one was A-1.

[@CallsignJoNay]

Thanks for the interview. The SR-71 is one of the most strikingly beautiful aircraft ever created, IMHO. It's silhouette is ominous, mysterious, graceful, and completely unmistakable. It's more than a great design, it's a technological icon. I can't imagine how incredible it must've been to be behind the stick.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

What did he say, something like only 87 people ever knew. what that was like. Crazy!

[@MaxVerslappin48]

RIP Major Shul. Thankyou for your service and thankyou even more for sharing your time and story with si many.

[@chrispfuhl5822]

Best episode for now. Goose bumps. Thanks for your service Brian, youre real golden boy..

[@Flashblade]

Incredible show. Please have Mr. Shul on again! To talk about his call sign and injury. How about interviewing an RA-5C pilot next?!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

We have a lead on a willing Vigilante pilot, just trying to arrange the interview.

[@spookbok]

Pure Gold! I have a few of Brian's books and footage of his talks but you unearthed some great new material. Well done. Archangel was the internal skunk works project name after the U-2 had been named Angel, the A-12 was the 12th design in the series which started in mid 1958 with the A-1. The CIA project name was Oxcart. I was buzzed by an F-18 in 2011 on an RV road trip in one of the side canyons in Death Valley, the pilot came around for a second pass over my RV. Wow! My kids have never seen me that excited... ever.

[@britishamerican4321]

Major Shul has such a youthful voice, especially for a man in his early 70s. Very charming!

[@josefwitt9772]

I just read of his passing on the DCS-related Air Warfare Group KZbin channel. "Juice" over there shared a great story about this great American. This interview was one of my favorites out of the 90-something episodes I've gotten through so far. I'll be sure to give it another listen soon. I'm grateful that this podcast has allowed some regular guy like me that's simply an aviation geek to hear so many stories like his - for the history, the technical stuff, and perhaps most importantly the inspiration and example set by so many of your podcast guests. May he rest in peace.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Well said, Josef.

[@ShamuXEagleDriver]

What a super cool (or heated) interview. Near perfect marriage of mission to aircraft design. Unreal tech achievement not only for its time, but for all time. Thanks!

[@rosswalker3457]

I've said this before ,if someone in Hollywood doesn't make a movie about Mr Shul's life they're crazy 👍👌

[@elcohetejpr]

As a kid I was fortunate enough to live near Norton AFB and was able to see the SR-71 in person multiple times and see/ hear/ feel it fly. The only other aircraft that shook the ground and rattled your skeleton like that was the B-1B bomber in full burner - it was so loud it hurt your whole body.

[@scottlynch1411]

Every airplane Kelly Johnson worked on performed to the extreme!

[@ericlawrence9729]

Thank you so much for your time and dedication providing this amazing content. All of these episodes are wonderful and I can’t tell you how much enjoyment I get out of listening, you can’t get this type of content anywhere. Keep up the great work.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks very much, Eric. It certainly helps to know the content is well received. Kind of you to say so.

[@eplatel1]

Again another great podcast! This plane was a favorite of a dear friend of mine who sadly passed away… he had gone to see one of his speaking events ! And he pointed me to Brian schul! Hope to visit his gallery with my kids once we visit the USA. God bless

[@msb3175]

I was at the Mugu airshow when the jet did two low level fly-by's coming back from a show at Norton AFB going home to Beale.

[@jasonsong86]

Late to the podcast before the passing of Brian. He was truly a inspiration to all of us and truly an aviator great passion for flying and airplanes. Brian's legacy will forever live amongst us.

[@Wild_Danimal]

It’s hard to believe this man is even real, what an inspiration I could listen to him ALL DAY

[@daviddallas4607]

Wow, what a great show. I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time. And the cried at the end when Quido was talking about his Dad (Pops). What a guy.

[@smokeylovesfire1589]

I had no idea about Brian. My heart goes out to his family. I know he above us and watching over our country. Flying fast. A true patriot.

[@mobiuszero1018]

This is one of the best episodes on this podcast! Jello,thank you SO much for this episode and mr.Shul for his service to this country!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome!

[@Tele999zzz]

Great interview. Fantastic with a respectful knowledgeable interview and obviously a remarkable guest

[@tomeickhorst6787]

The LA speed story is one of the best EVER!!!!

[@seanshi2945]

Great interview as always guys! Love listening to Brian speak about the black bird. Also thanks for doing what you do, coming from a former grunt and student pilot.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome, Sean. We're having fun doing it so it's a win-win for everyone!

[@MrGourdman1]

My uncle was one of the performance engineers on the SR-71 project. He was stationed at Edwards AFB and flew out to Area 51 and back everyday. Since it was a black project, his family had no idea what he was doing.

[@matk4731]

What a legend bloke. That was fantastic really enjoyed it. Thank you

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome.

[@AvengerII]

The SR-71 is that weird, nearly unique plane that STILL looks modern nearly 60 years later! All its contemporaries are VERY 1950s/1960s designs including the F-5 which is another classic beauty. The 1950s designs are all dated -- but not the Blackbird!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Agreed!

[@MrGourdman1]

He was one of those “brilliant” Brian was talking about. He worked for GE after he retired from the Air Force and he said that he could do work in a few hours on an engineering calculator that it took him a week to do on a slide rule when he was working on the project.

[@RCAvhstape]

190 knot approach speed? Wow, that's like a space shuttle approach!

[@genericfakename8197]

And both the Space Shuttle and SR-71 pilots were expected to land it first time. Of course the Shuttle was a glider and flew like a brick and the Blackbird pilot could 'make fuel' for another go at the runway and flew a nice bird. A whole other level of pilot those guys.

[@aw8one]

Glad he mentioned DARYLE. Great movie

[@bjsracer]

Great episode.

[@chopper7352]

Great presentation ...Truly inspirational.

[@readie10145]

It was in the Guinness world records in the 90s. I use to open that book and dream flying when a kid:)

[@daledassel5658]

Great interview. I was a 9th SRW engine troop at Beale from 81-85. Great assignment. J58’s on the test cell was unreal…

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I can’t imagine!

[@earlyprimate]

Recently finished the book "Skunk Works" in which they discussed the development and deployments of the SR-71. According to the book it was originally designated the RS-71. President Johnson misidentified it as SR-71 in the first public statement about the aircraft so the Air Force had Lockheed go back and re-identify all material associated with the project, to include the aircraft, to SR-71.

[@samueladams1775]

Jello this is an awesome interview. If not the best, it is one of the best interviews you have done. People like Brian are an inspiration to people on overcoming obstacles in life.

[@charlesmagrin2616]

Brian is Just one of the most brilliant and interesting aviation speakers I've ever heard, listening to him you can tell he's got another point of view on life than the average person. As a French I wonder where's from his lovely grooving accent? thanks a lot this was a delight ;)

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You're welcome, Charles. Yes, I imagine he is shaped by his experiences--as we all are, but few people have experiences quite like he has.

[@Rmanaseri]

Amazing interview, thank you. If possible could you do a segment on the U-2? Absolutely one of my favorite aircraft.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

We’ll try, Randy!

[@rrdavis7476]

Has to be my favourite episode so far!👍🏻👍🏻

[@erice4288]

Best episode to date, and I've heard them all. Thank you team FPP for all that you do.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Kind of you to say, Eric, thanks!

[@donno1970]

Another great episode guys. What an amazing story

[@IrishManJT]

Fantastic.

[@Mightymamba]

Another great interview, I've always like the SR-71 and just thought It looked cool and from the future. and to hear how the engines worked was really cool. (at high altitude) I'm looking forward to the others as always you have in the future.

[@danfreeman9079]

It's was an honor work on the SR-71 and to know Maj Shul.

[@danfreeman9079]

One simple mistake, the "J-85" is the engine used in the T-38 Trainer. The SR-71 uses P&W J-58. :)

[@vspecnurr34]

Absolutely awesome, thank you 👌

[@AndrewGasser]

Such a great interview in 2024

[@patrickchase5614]

"A" was for "Archangel", the CIA project name for the overall U-2 replacement project. A-12 was the 12th design in the Archangel series.

[@vivek27789]

True.. Very True 👍

[@ArveEriksson]

Man, what a plane!

[@Ripper13F1V]

AMAZING!

[@connorAv8]

Incredible podcast as always!

[@philipkarsten9859]

I was in a Patriot missile battery late eighties in Germany. We deployed from Germany to England for an exercise. After the exercise we had a few down days and there was an air show happening at RAF Mildenhal we got to go to. There was an SR-71 on display with roles about fifty feet away

[@Combatant5]

The A-12 Oxcart designation was actually an intentional misnomer to confuse the KGB when they inevitably ran into the jet's paper trail. They likely wouldn't have had access to photos of the jet, so they would have naturally assumed that it was a slow, low flying attack jet like the A-10 rather than a high speed, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

[@TheGuidermichael]

It just keeps on getting more interesting!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@TheGuidermichael Agreed. Thanks @combatant5.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@Steven Duncan Possibly. That would not comply with the convention the U.S. adopted prior to that but it seems plausible.

[@Combatant5]

@Steven Duncan thus the point of the name to draw the opposition off of it's true nature.

[@StreckFu2U]

@@Combatant5 Except it is well documented that the A-12 designation was carried over from the Lockheed design series. The idea that it was an attempt at disinformation is not true. Please read Kelly Johnson's autobiography for history.

[@kingtigerbooks1162]

The SR-71 is my favorite aircraft. Maybe not as heavily armed as the Eagle but it's gonna sneak up on them MiGs real quiet like and shoot them with its camera. My neighbor is an old F-4 Phantom pilot. He saw a little action in Vietnam. I keep telling him to write a book. He had his share of close calls and narrow escapes from MiGs. These are my 3 favorite aviation books: - Her Majesty's Top Gun by Sharkey Ward - A Reluctant Warrior by Kenneth Volker - Great Fighter Jets of the Galaxy 1 by Tim Gibson

[@mjolnir9030]

Terrific episode! Really enjoyed the interview.

[@Arecki882]

The most butifull 🐦 on the world.Love from Poland

[@simflier8298]

Great interview, as usual! I read that it would intentionally leak fuel on the ramp to compensate for heat expansion during flight. Fantastic aircraft! Amazing pilot!

[@jameshewitt8828]

I just requested to join your fb group and stated the F117 podcast was my fav, nope this is, so epic. We got you, we got you, we lost you hahaha

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

James Hewitt changing your mind is totally fine!!

[@kevinmalloy2180]

Wow, just wow.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

😎

[@TrickyClaw]

Gods, the sound of that plane really was something else... Still havent heard anything like it.

[@WMMASceneNow]

Saw one or two people say the X-Men movie. The plane was featured in every X-Men movie, as well as the 1990s animated series and the comics. The plane is big enough to transport the team in. Basically the Blackbird version of the F-117 ‘Remora’ in Executive Decision. Oh, it didn’t fly, but it did feature prominently in the movie “Space Cowboys.” Tommy Lee Jones’ character was a retired Blackbird pilot

[@StreckFu2U]

Great interview and an another excellent episode. It was great to hear Brian Shul expand on the Speed Check story and give the background for it. I only wish his book was still available and not so prohibitively expensive. I hope you don't mind if make a couple recommendations for sources of the history of the Blackbird that are not from Brian Shul. The CIA published, in 2012, a program history: www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/a-12/Archangel-2ndEdition-2Feb12.pdf And the best book I have found, with a ton of rare photographs, that covers the full program from the CIA A-12, the Air Force YF-12, to the SR-71 is Paul Crickmore's Lockheed Blackbird: Beyond the Secret Missions. It was updated in 2016 after more missions and events were declassified so there is a lot more information and more photographs than the original print.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Sounds like a great read, will check it out. Thanks!

[@garyhall5649]

Beale runway is a "SAC Standard"12,001 x 300' slab of pavement. And the Tankers? He knows we were doing our best! We pushed up our engines and signaled our intent to fly faster... ;)

[@daledassel5658]

Yep. Q models. I ran the engines on test cell at Beale for a stint during my career.

[@therocinante3443]

Oh maaaan this is awesome!

[@MaxMnemonic]

Excellent interview!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thank you! There's another 15-ish minutes with Brian over on our Patreon page, if you're so inclined: www.patreon.com/ftrpltpdcst

[@sb859]

Most dominating, amazing aircraft of all time.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Definitely special.

[@danpass12]

Thank you both for a great episode. Mr Shul ... I would buy a bird book that spoke about BOTH the icteric Blackbirds and the Protobothrops flavoviridis Blackbirds, especially if they were creatively weaved together throughout the book :D

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

...it's...difficult...to type this...because...my eyes just crossed.

[@danpass12]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Don't pull the loud handle!

[@DannyB497]

What a great podcast

[@johns.7609]

Another great interview, wow. Any chance you guys have reached out to author and B-52 WSO Dale Brown? I loved the Coonts interview.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

No. Just recorded a B-52 episode but not with Dale. Saving that one for "bomber month" coming up this fall perhaps.

[@johns.7609]

The Fighter Pilot Podcast I would like to share this one incredible video regarding Linebacker 2. 44 audio minutes of a strike. I shared this with my dad recently who was an ATC on Oriskany at this very time and he found it fascinating. Maybe it could be a behind the scenes topic someday! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGHMmXxti7plhbs

[@8710ify]

Any further information on the super tanker project? What was it called so I can look it up?

[@joaorodrigues-dy9rm]

Subscribed, much luck and good work👌

[@finixhawkeye3213]

SR 71 was shown in "X-Men First Class"

[@9HighFlyer9]

Another hero of mine, that I never crossed paths with, gone.

[@shannonchurchill4556]

I could have sworn I heard him tell the story that he was flying an F-105 when he was shot down. Now I need to go back and find that video or it will bug me forever. The M/D-21 designation came from "Mother" and "Daughter", and it was an A-12 that had the Q-bay (that held the camera) removed and replaced with a 2nd cockpit for the LCO (launch control officer) for the drone.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

Hell Yes!

[@EdD-ym6le]

Great interview . Greatest aircraft ever except maybe the Wright Flyer that got the ball rolling .

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I suppose it depends on your definition of "greatest." Certainly something had to be the first but I don't believe that makes the Wright Flyer the "greatest."

[@waynee5603]

Look up his "LA speed check" story.....Funny as hell. :)

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

I take it you wrote this comment before listening to our interview? We talk about it.

[@bobthompson4319]

That suit enabled 1 guy to survive a mach 3 break up of an SR-71 and survive it.

[@GeorgeJansen]

Wait. Isn't the actual altitude and speed of the SR 71 still classified?

[@samueladams1775]

Sort of. In theory it could go to approximately 100+ thousand feet. Brian talks about flying at 90,000 feet. After 100,000 feet there basically isn't any air to use.

[@brunojake099]

Very interesting episode. I’d like to see what the military has classified in today’s times

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Then it wouldn't be classified.

[@brycedahlke9078]

Do AWACS!!!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

We’ve some control segments, but we’ll work on that Bryce.

[@ashokiimc]

54:45 man that’s why he was and will always be my favourite president. 57:05 That was the best 😂 😂 😂.

[@charlesmagrin2616]

Hello Jell-O, I'd like to write subtitles in French for my mates who do not speak English because I think your content is amazing and I know they'd love it too! How can I proceed, if you agree off course?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Fine by me.

[@charlesmagrin2616]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Great I'll send you the file as soon as I have enough time to do it!

[@quizels0695]

this is an awesome podcast! How can I find the music?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

rantam.bandcamp.com/track/the-fighter-pilot-podcast-2019-february-spy-aircraft

[@quizels0695]

The Fighter Pilot Podcast thx

[@jettsetter7]

For anyone who is struggling with anything, Brian is looking down on you (us) saying, “It’s going to be okay, buddy.” Rest in heaven Mr. Shul.

[@Bushy_P]

It’s so beautiful 😭

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

and sinister at the same time, agreed!

[@toolsforlife3650]

WOW!

[@sichere]

I'm led to believe that in 1974 the SR71 that set the Atlantic crossing record got "Bounced" by an RAF EEL mid Atlantic

[@havrik2101]

I think he meant j58 engines were in the sr71. J85s were in the f5 and t38

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Oops

[@clearingbaffles]

@@FighterPilotPodcast he did on purpose just like RS-71 he J-85ed it I saw/heard my first one at Beale in late 66 or 68 and the last one I saw in flight saved me a speeding ticket it was in the pattern at McClellan AFB near Sacramento about 40 miles south of Beale

[@mies-bvd]

RIP! 😢

[@klk1900]

For the history nerds that are interested in the A-12 Cygnus fleet and A-12 VS SR71 specs Serial # - Article # | Model | Flights | Hours 60-6924 - 121 | Flights: 322 | Hours: 418.2 60-6925 - 122 | A-12 | FLIGHTS: 161 | Hours: 177.9 60-6926 - 123 | A-12 | Flights: 79 | HOURS: 135.3 60-6927 - 124 | A-12 Trainer | Flights: 614 | HOURS: 1,076.4 60-6928 - 125 | A-12 | Flights: 202 | HOURS: 334.9 60-6929 - 126 | A-12 | Flights: 105 | Hours: 169.2 60-6930 - 127 |A-12 | Flights: 258 | Hours: 499.2 60-6931 - 128| A-12 | Flights: 232 | Hours: 453.0 60-6932 - 129| A-12 | Flights: 268 | Hours: 409.9 60-6933 - 130| A-12 | Flights: 217 | Hours: 406.3 60-6937 - 131| A-12 | Flights: 177 | Hours: 345.8 60-6938 - 132| A-12 | Flights: 197 | Hours: 369.9 60-6939 - 133| A-12 | Flights: 10 | Hours: 8.3 60-6940 - 134 | M-21 | Flights: 80 | Hours: 123.9 60-6941 - 135 | M-21 | Flights: 95 | Hours: 152.7 A-12 Total: Flights: 3,017 ---- Hours: 5080.9 A-12 | SR-71 spec comparison Crew: 1 | 2 Length: 101.7’ | 107.5’ Wingspan: 55.7’ | 55.7’ Height: 18.6’ | 18.6’ Wingarea: 1,795 Sq.Ft | 1,800 Sq.Ft Empty weight: 54,600lbs | 67,500lbs Gross Weight: 0000000 | 152,000lb Max Takeoff Weight: 120,000lb | 172,000Lbs Fuel Pounds: 68,300lb | 80,000lb Fuel Gallons: 10,590 gal | 12,404 Gal +/- 100 Power Plant: JT11D-20B | JT11D-20K Dry Thrust: 20,500lbf | 25,000lbf Wet thrust: 32,500lbf | 34,000lbf Thrust-Weight: 0.56 | 0.44 Wingloading: 65lb/sq.ft | 84lb/Sq.Ft MACH@ALT: 3.35 | 3.32 Supersonic Cruise V: M3.10 or 2,050MPH Rate of climb: 11,820FT/Min Service Ceiling: 95,000FT | 85,069FT Max Speed documented: 2,208MPH | 2,193MPH Range: 3,000Miles | 3,250Miles Speed Of Sound @80’000KFT @-69.69F = 660.34MPH or 573.82Knots Speed of Sound @95’000KFT @-48.87F = 677MPH or 588Knots A-12 Max Speed Documented: 2,208MPH = M3.34 SR71 Max speed Documented: 2,193MPH = M3.32

[@jasonsong86]

Just heard "Punchy" passed away. Rest in peace.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Yup. 💔

[@tombrunila2695]

I have read somewhere that a SR-71 pilot once said that the SR-71 would be accelerating when it at Mach 3.7 would run out of gas.

[@nathansmith3608]

I read that it could reliably hit up to Mach 3.4 but after that engine flameout was likely, which would be (at least) a near death experience. Since the spikes needed to adjust throughout, the speed where they reached the end of their travel would be fairly close to the hard limit I'd imagine

[@TrickyClaw]

The problem isint power, or fuel. The problem was heat. If the engine's intke tempterature got too hot, it would cause engine failure. The colder the ambient temp, the faster they coud go, but it was still speed limited by heat over everything else.

[@markconner5569]

Watched the HBO Documentary on Sinatra & in an odd response to a question about his business beyond music & performing he replies that he had recently started a Titanium Company. Could it be that his unique relationships w Kennedy’s & Clay Lacey gave him some early insight into the needs of the SR Project? I do realize that front Companies were utilized for the USSR purchases.

[@KernowekTim]

Mr Schul mentioned the power felt from the J85 engines of the SR71. The J85's were relatively small engines...Surely they were J58's?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Mis-speak

[@paulloveless9180]

Was wondering the same thing.

[@pro-horsepunter5554]

Amazing but I wanna fly the tic tac :)

[@advancedcavemen4104]

Who doesn't!? Damn that'd be incredible.