SR-71 Cockpit Checkout

[@ErikJohnston]

Chris, I saw Rich a few days ago and I told him how much everyone has liked this video and appreciated his service. He seemed very touched.

[@volbeatnl]

Well, next time you see the man be sure to thank him again! I discovered these video's last year july (2019). And I keep coming back to watch them again. The whole of the western world ( i'm from The Netherlands ) should be thankful for the intelligence these men gathered back in those days. Knowing what the enemy was doing, kept our world safe!

[@張海鷗-t2t]

人證物證全部捕獲送審偵辦辦理理賠金額治理國家資本市場營銷新建工程進度表救援緊急狀態使用價值撥款補助經費申請開發案財團法人司法界法務保護掌理管理

[@TheSpawnacus]

@@張海鷗-t2t what did you say ?

[@carti9248]

@@TheSpawnacus I google translated it for you dont worry..... All personal evidence and physical evidence are captured and sent to the investigation office for the settlement of claims amount governance national capital marketing new construction schedule rescue emergency use value appropriation subsidy funds application development consortium legal person judiciary legal protection management........ ya I still dont understand.

[@TheSpawnacus]

@@carti9248 thanks 😊

[@tootrue6529]

I was dumbfounded to hear in his other video that the astro tracker navigation system was able to keep the aircraft within 1000 feet of the black line when it was tied into the autopilot. This aircraft and its systems were designed in the '50s and '60s with slide rule technology by chain smoking engineers who were hell bent on outdoing the Soviets. God bless them...

[@ErikJohnston]

Too True I know, it's crazy cool!!

[@tootrue6529]

Your videos are fantastic Erik. Thank you so much for taking the time to film, edit and post them. When the internet first started taking hold back in the early '90s I thought it would be defined by interesting and enlightening content such as yours. I was excited by its potential for sharing knowledge and building bridges. How wrong I was... This makes me even more thankful for videos like yours. Well done sir!

[@carmadme]

i belive that the astro nav tech was british

[@gonzomuse]

The one in the SR-71 was designed, developed and made by Northrop. Great video btw. Thanks for sharing! Quite amazing. Never thought I'd ever get a tour of an SR-71 cockpit.

[@grantrennie]

rccarmadben yes it was

[@ihatelolcats]

"we cruise in afterburner at full throttle" hell yes.

[@Cesko_Plny_Fialovejch_Zmrdu]

Ikr...That plane is just one flying fuel tank

[@Jeremiah_Johnson139]

​@@Cesko_Plny_Fialovejch_ZmrduBut, just like the A-10, the SR-71 is extremely purpose-built. The only reason that mach 3+ flying gas-tank exists was to allow its extremely high resolution on board camera to take photos and provide intelligence, while going untouched by SAMs. I'm sure Captain Gary Powers wished he had been flying the SR-71 instead of the U2 that day.

[@MarkFrankJPN]

I watch this video once a week so if I'm ever in a situation where I need to fly an SR-71 I'll be prepared.

[@12220627]

Aahahahaaaaaaa!!!!! This is one of the best videos I've ever watched on KZbin. It was very interesting to hear about all the little things that the pilot had to do in flight. And the Rio.. Star navigation.. Amazing. No GPS back then.. Great video!!!

[@sixstringlove8242]

+MarkFrankJPN *Me too. Right now I am trying to buy some Triethylborane to get the jet engines on my home built SR71 (I call it the SR71.5) started. Next, I gotta find some 16mm video tape...*

[@jayberry2716]

+MarkFrankJPN great advice,,,,one never knows when you'll be asked to fly.

[@hoghogwild]

+kade6 Sure was a great video.The US military had widespread GPS capability just prior to Gulf War 1 in 1991(GW1 was the 1st major conflict which featured GPS-too bad for Saddam who was under the impression that the US Army and Marines would get lost in the featureless deserts), with more minor capability before. The space shuttle also used star trackers and inertial systems, but also added GPS backup in 1996, just a few years before the SR-71 was permanently retired. Even the new Orion spacecraft will use star trackers during its upcoming launch in 2018. The back seater is the RSO or Reconnaissance System Officer

[@leadheadmike1]

You guys do know that the sr71 has been retired for some years. They dont have what they need to get one up and running.

[@1970PMD]

This man is as much of a national treasure as the SR-71 is. Outstanding, thank you for your service sir.

[@abunadia5506]

As a US Marine stationed at Okinawa in the early 80’s, I loved watching Blackbirds take off & return. I was in such awe of it’s sleek, futuristic beauty and sheer power! Thanks for the wonderful memories! 👍🏽

[@davidserrano4716]

I could see them from Camp Courtney facing the Water, flying out. 81’ 🇺🇸🦅🌎⚓️SF.

[@mosesxavier8267]

Thank you for your service

[@mosesxavier8267]

​@@davidserrano4716Thank you for your service

[@abunadia5506]

@@mosesxavier8267 Thanks mate!

[@relevantinformation6655]

Mind blowing the technology and performance given the lack of computers in the day. It was all pilot skill.

[@CMFL77]

The guys who crewed the SR and U2's in the 60's on up are some of the coolest and most mentally put-together individuals our country could produce. Always reassuring knowing people like them stand between us and any major problems. I could listen to them talk about their craft for days without ever tiring of the conversation

[@jangelbrich7056]

Just 20 years more from now, and noone would even be able to explain what all this was about. Thanks for this real documentation!

[@OrenArieli]

Props to the engineers who designed this, the fabricators that built it, the pilots that flew it...and all those that helped prevent WWIII

[@HansDelbruck53]

Not so much prevent WWIII as delay it.

[@2811JPR]

Knowing this monster does mach ~3.2 and seeing nothing but analog dials is just immensely terrifying to me

[@alexsawko5330]

it goes much faster then mach 3.2 people have clocked them at mach 6 and this guy just kinda confirmed it after talking about the air speed indicator

[@JetFalcon710]

@@alexsawko5330 I know a pilot got it to go Mach 3.5 when evading a missile in Libya, but I dunno about Mach 6

[@alexsawko5330]

@@JetFalcon710 there has been proof of some hill billy’s that love AFC clocking a SR-71 travelling just under mach 6 which is insane

[@JetFalcon710]

@@alexsawko5330 Huh, interesting

[@alexsawko5330]

@@JetFalcon710 i’ll trying finding the source if you want i remember reading up on it they said it looked like an SR-71 but they couldn’t confirm due to it being so high up they just didn’t have the technology or something along them line

[@777jones]

This senior man knows what he is talking about! What a privilege to get to see him show the airplane. Every small comment from him is important. Thanks.

[@paulhruza6066]

I had the great honor of working on these amazing aircraft (and the U-2R) at Beale AFB, CA from 1986 until their demise... It was a wonderful experience. I consider myself privileged to have been a part of this program. "BKJSS"... Because Kelly Johnson Said So! My fellow maintainers will remember this... :-)

[@ErikJohnston]

Paul, thank you for your service. And thank you for maintaining these two amazing aircraft. Would love to hear some of your stories sometime.

[@ClassicStreetIron]

I was stationed at Beale from Jan 85 to Aug 87. I was part of the 7th MWS so was barracked with the 9th OMS and associated squadrons.. Loved watching the Blackbird take off at night.

[@michaeld9758]

@@ClassicStreetIron interesting, I worked The Bat Cave, Side Looking Radar. Then cross trained and ended up at the 7th MWS also. At the start there I was assigned to the 2156 Comm Sqdn.

[@ClassicStreetIron]

@@michaeld9758 Cool!

[@Mark-jg9rt]

Had the great pleasure to be on the tarmac in 1983 when both the SR-71 followed shortly after by a U2 took off. The roar of those engines, the thundering sound and vibration you could feel and watching them go straight up at what looked like a 45-degree ascent until it was nothing more than a speck before it disappeared. It was one of the most thrilling times of my life as a USAF ROTC cadet. We had a briefing with both pilots prior to their mission, watched them suit up, and debrief lunch upon their return. I will never forget it. They also had this bad ass radar system secured by arm guards that could track beyond the curvature of the earth. Beale is/was a great AFB.

[@rogerturner5504]

This and the previous Richard Graham SR-71 video have to be two of the best instructional pieces on the Net about advanced piloting. Just outstanding.

[@seth1987]

Old Instrument panels like SR-71 one definitely look far more badass than any modern digital ones we got today !

[@ErikJohnston]

I agree, I love steam gages

[@Graymenn]

digital instruments look like old dos games.

[@doodlegoose2262]

Seth I went to the Air and Space museum in DC and they had a display on a monitor in which u could look at the cockpit. I was actually surprised, I’m not sure exactly what I expected of the most badass spy plane in history but it wasn’t this. I did expect I guess more digital to be in it. Yes I know how old it is, but I thought they might have upgraded it. It’s still my favorite aircraft

[@bernardw4842]

@@doodlegoose2262A lot of military stuff is so slow and expensive to develop, and all the procedures required to change anything, that some of it is simply locked down forever so they never change the design. Simpler that way. If they need enough changes they design a whole new system from scratch, but even that is hard to integrate into the remaining systems... imagine the paperwork and procedures involved for the military's most vital and cutting edge stuff, not just for technical reasons but also security, legal, safety, all kinds of stuff. I had a tour of a retired RAN submarine and about the only thing I could find that was upgraded since it was built was the TV in the crew quarters. Same again, locked down design. It doesn't mean they neglected it or there was not enough budget, it's just best to not mess with it. Once it works, keep it working the same forever. But yeah, even knowing that, it's a shock to see equipment in use with decades old fittings. Kinda cool really, all those gauges are much more "live" and interesting than a grey display (until it fires up which we the public never get to see)

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

Funny thing, even at the time Blackbird's cockpit layout was pretty old-fashioned and traditional. In fact, it was probably the absolutely only relatively mundane thing about this beautiful machine. Guess they've figured reinventing a cockpit in a machine so grounbreaking in so many aspects would've been a bit much :D

[@Jeremiah_Johnson139]

Wow! Thank you for doing this video! I've seen countless 'Documentaries' on Wings, the Military Channel, you name it, but this was the most indepth and informative tour of the SR-71 cockpits I have ever seen!

[@Sleepyquad]

I used to have a lot of respect for the pilots of these planes. After watching this video I have two tons of respect for everybody involved In this project.

[@danijel3227]

It is incredible that he can hold camera and explain all that and in the same time fly this airplane at Mach 3.

[@philholland3505]

He’s a cool headed customer lol

[@fulanitoflyer]

I´d have problems describing the cockpit of my Toyota Corolla... and I drove it this morning.

[@edawg792]

+Bruce Congdon Rude

[@aydenn23]

edawg792 truth hurts

[@jjames05]

Absolutely amazing how analog this beauty was. You pilots are my heroes. Bless you all.

[@epicdreams1]

Man it must feel good to be one of the few chosen to fly the blackbird. How cool is that! The fastest Jet man ever created and you can say you flew that bad boy!

[@MasterMayhem78]

You might have known my Grandfather. He did the Hydraulics on the SR-71 up until decommission. He also worked with the U2. He was primarily stationed at Beale Air Force Base. In fact, I was able to experience the final flight when I was just a kiddo. Even met the Pilot and Copilot as they arrived in their van. Shook their hands while they were still sitting in the van. Pressure suits and all. I sat in the hanger with this beautiful aircraft as it was being prepped for its final flight. Once in a life time experience. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the flight controls. The SR-71 Blackbird is part of my family history. It's in our blood.

[@nimueh4298]

+MasterMayhem78 An experience I am sure you will never forget, people who were involved with this aircraft are brilliant individuals.

[@MasterMayhem78]

+John Tam Yes. My Grandfather was brilliant. Very well known and respected also. He was an amazing man.

[@CAL1MBO]

+RadioActive RC lucky you

[@leisulin]

Which "last flight" of the SR-71 was this? I only ask because there were several flights that could be deemed the "last flight": when they first ended the program in 1990, when the Air Force last flew the couple of SRs that were put back into service in 1995(?) for a couple of years, ending in 1997, or when the last SR was flown by the NASA pilots from Dryden in 1999. I myself witnessed part of the final flight, and the final landing, of the SR-71B, the trainer, at the Edwards AFB airshow in October of 1997, but they still flew their other SR a couple more times.

[@FutureAirways2]

Cool story, the AFB museum in Southern California, use to host events with enough interest im sure they would again. You could sit n take pics inside the cockpits. Ppl from the program would come an talk, sign pics. cool stuff

[@willy6774]

man, these guys were a different breed-respect and thanks for your service. USA very fortunate to have such consumate professionals in the ranks.

[@teccec]

Fascinating. I was in a Harley Davidson owners club with a couple of retired SR-71 pilots, I'd had no idea there were only 86 of them. I also hadn't ever wanted to bug them for stories, I bet they had some good ones. On a few occasions they'd been teased, or teased the rest of us, about paying attention to detail for safety or navigation. This vid provides amusing context to that.

[@amberfoster3285]

As a kid the SR-71 always reminded me of a spaceship it was just so cool in it's day. It's still a cool jet today.

[@KBurchfiel]

I have the feeling this fellow could fly the plane perfectly today if they fueled it up for him. Awesome vid!

[@you2tooyou2too]

Just looking at the pilots climbing out after just a 3 hr test flight told me it was exhausting & often miserable work.

[@JeremyShibby]

@@you2tooyou2too also having to sit in the cockpit for 2 hours after landing waiting for the plane to cool down before you can get out of the cockpit

[@LeoMantanga]

“3rd light On: pilot just ejected” was the best line :D. Great video documentary

[@elhadjiamadoujohnson4166]

State of the art in reconnaissance!!! This plane should've never retired!!!

[@Tina-di4lx]

I’ve listened to Richard Graham a number of times. He is a very cool speaker.

[@MeatVision]

This is one of the craziest things I've ever seen, if these guys had these things in the 50s, my god, what the hell do they have know. Incredible video.

[@deldridg]

Can't wait to show this to my 9yo son, growing up surrounded by tiny devices (he has none) that could perform much of the work of this beautiful mechanical system. The SR-71 has been a favourite of mine since I was a kid and the same for my boy. To be able to understand how she operated is a tremendous bonus and a supersonic thank you from Australia for sharing! Cheers - Dave

[@LAOSmnagiva809]

I never watched a KZbin video hoping it never ended! What a great narration by Richard 😍 I hope he’s well, and I dream one day to talk with him about his missions

[@The_Sword3]

Hard to believe it only takes two people to operate this massive beast of an airplane. Thank you much for the tour.

[@JohnS916]

Excellent cockpit overview, concise and most importantly, Capt Graham presented the topic in an easy to understand format. What struck me was how primitive the pilot and SRO instrumentation panels looked and how such amazing things could be done with what we had back then. It was almost like looking into a porthole of current technology of the era, but knowing it related to advancements that followed. There was also a degree of disconnect between the instrumentation and the SR71's amazing performance, like the performance was modern day, but the rest of it was stuck in the 60's. I always wondered how one copes with the urge to take a nap on extra long missions, I know it's human nature, especially when cruising along but not yet inside your target's territory and let's face it, anything can have a routine. Nothing like taking a power nap on a long ride, so I'm sure some sort of accommodation was made, care to share any inside secret Capt? I heard somewhere the max performance figures for the SR71 are still classified? This seems to be the case, because out of the number of videos or conversations about this airplane, nothing specific was ever discussed about how fast or high it can really go. The numbers talked about are always vague, like mach 3+ and 80K ft. Myself and many others would sure like to know what this baby could really do. I recall one video regarding SR71s getting shot at with ground to air missiles and one pilot or SRO indicated pushing forward the throttles as a tactic to outrun the missile for just enough time to disorient it, something like 100 to 200 knots. But then the crew member indicated that after being in this mode and he looked down to see the mach gauge higher than he has ever seen before, but he made no mention of what that was. Out of the 86 pilots on record in the program I wonder if any one of them took it upon themselves to push the throttles forward and get a taste of how fast the plane actually was. Obviously, for many reasons this would be a risky maneuver, but i wonder if anyone tried it, if they did no one but he and his SRO would know and I can imagine a great story if they ever connected years later over a couple beers. However, I don't know how they could possibly get away with it being monitored both internally and externally by sensors I'm sure of that. But like the above story of the pilot using acceleration to outwit an incoming missile, maybe this defensive tactic could be prolonged just a bit, lol. Somewhere I heard an SR71 flew across the USA in just over one hour. If the accepted distance between the west and east coast is about 3K miles, or I've heard the shortest distance is around 2,100 miles, in the former case and ignoring all the physics and environmental factors, the SR71 flew up to Mach IV if 760mph is the speed of sound. I suck at math, but I believe the record breaking coast to coast flight was merely a demonstration run and no one spoke of it as a flight to break any real records. Just adds to the mystery of this legendary aircraft.

[@DGCastell]

This video is gold for the new generation, because we may never see that legendary airplane flying again. Kudos to the pilot for showing all this stuff.

[@ErikJohnston]

I don't think we will ever see an SR fly ever again. Mainly because of the companies that were developed to engineer the fluids and fuels it needed to be able to fly don't exist any more.

[@TactileCoder]

On the contrary, efficient engines and better technology means we may see passenger planes that far surpass the concorde and SR-17 within our lifetime.

[@RoivonPC]

I was at a swap meet one day selling stuff and there was a retired air force intelligence officer walking by my table. I stopped him and asked him if he knew "HABU." Oh man that man's eye lit up and we talked for over an hour about the SR and the camera capabilities. He couldn't tell me everything because many items were still classified but what he could tell me he acted like a fresh air force officer. We made each other's day.

[@ErikJohnston]

Roivon That’s a great story! Thanks

[@Tina-di4lx]

I visited Dulles five years ago. Saw the SR and all the suites and displays. So cool.

[@ELEB2634]

Remarkable plane and a very remarkable gentleman. Thank you for these videos and your service. This man is part of very special elite group.

[@leefoster8144]

This is fantastic. I have memories of seeing a SR71 fly over when I was a kid in St.ives, Cambridgeshire, UK - I think it was taking part in an air show (Alconbury/Mildenhall/Wyton) some time around late 80s. One memory that’ll keep with me. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@JetNmyFuture]

That was awesome to see and hear from the guy that has done it! Fantastic peak into a place that 'normal' pilots never get to see.

[@thomaskindlund410]

Thank you so much for this superlative look into the magnificent SR-71 aircraft, never thought Id be fortunate enough to see it, it will live in history, appreciate your service to our great nation.

[@mosesainsz7002]

crazy that at the time of the development of these planes, locals thought they were testing UFOs they were so secret, now we are sat in the cockpit. Amazing,.

[@RV6Pilot]

I used to load the front and back map projectors pre-flight. It was a 35mm film strip. The one in the back had a larger screen. When the plane was fitted with the side-looking radar nose (which I also worked on) it could “siphon” off some of the radar return signal and put it on a roll of heat developed film. Then it would go through a radar collator and display the image to the back seater. He could put a pair of cross hairs on a known spot (coastline or whatever) and recalibrate the INS system. Really awesome stuff! It was an honor to work on it. One of the best years of my life.

[@davecrupel2817]

So, cause of the TetraEthylBorine, the SR71's engines literaly _explode into life..._ *That* is punctuating badassery!!

[@bbthing68]

I had the pleasure to meet Richard Graham at his talk at Pratt & Whitney. An amazing man.

[@copkhan007]

Excellent video, a lot of great information was shared about this remarkable plane. Hats off to the pilots, navigators, engineers and everyone involved with building and operating this machinery.

[@Achillieas420]

This is prolly the coolest video on KZbin, I’d love to talk to this man about his sr 71 adventures

[@n0peable]

What a great man he is. Wondering how the habus managed to get off the ground with the immense weight of the balls of these men flying them. Really great video.

[@TheTruth-wn2vy]

n0peable You sound and look gay.

[@bluesatsunset]

@TheTruth - So what if he is? The fact you've bothered to post that silly comment says a lot more about you than the aspersion you try to cast.

[@ronaldwaynevanzant3985]

The Truth ??? More like the Douche🖕

[@texasbeast239]

Well like the pilot says here, the plane liked to fly with the CG forward, right where the crew rode... ;)

[@eaterofclams]

@@bluesatsunset ....omg...another superfluous and utterly useless virtue signaling "social justice" keyboard commando rides to the rescue . sigh.

[@documax123]

Fantastic. This is where KZbin comes into its own, when you can find watch stuff like this. That gave me the impression of being in a submarine, but up at 80,000 feet.

[@Escanooooooor]

I had the pleasure of being one of the pilots before its decomission. The feeling of just being up there and away from everything, in that beauty bird, its magical and once in a life time. Im glad that my services made a difference during the cold war.

[@jonqdrum]

Haha , you need attention bad hey ? Maybe I’m old fashioned but I somehow don’t think a former AF pilot in their 60’s are posting videos on how to eat pussy, and get bigger biceps on KZbin.

[@afterburner2869]

Christian Johansson My bullshit alarm is going off with you my scrawny little asswipe. I doubt you could fly a kite.

[@daveogarf]

Mind-Boggling! Very familiar layout, but then, there are the high-tech (for the sixties) surprises too. Kelly Johnson and the Skunk Works crew were way beyond amazing.

[@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

Absolutely amazing. And this was all created and operated in a pre-computer era, with nothing but slide rules and raw brainpower. We have great technology today, but I'm afraid we've lost some of the talent and risk-taking ingenuity that was responsible for the Blackbird.

[@nutsackmania]

+TJP77 Don't forget the fuel for those slide rules and "raw" brainpower was MONEY. During the period when the SR-71 was designed and produced, defense vacuumed up *half* of the entire federal budget, so such a specialized asset was more acceptable.

[@theinternet3585]

@NPC #79120041 You do know that's been debunked right. Also, how does having less white people make this plane a distant memory?

[@johngadd2622]

@Faceless Propagandist surgeons already are a lost art, the congress controls (though affirmative action) who recieves funding after 8 years of college so speciality funding is given to any other race, and they bring the whole family lineage with them

[@BrieoRobino]

@Faceless Propagandist so only white people are capable of creating something like the SR-71?

[@Bartonovich52]

Precomputer? Computers came up with US artillery range calculations 15 years before this thing ever flew. If it was designed eight slide rules, it would have only flown last year.

[@toxophilite6804]

SR-71 drivers have always been my hero's. Outstanding.🇺🇸

[@cesarronaldo]

Priceless video, congratulations. It's a must watch if you like airplanes, especially the SR 71 that was way ahead of his time.

[@kenlewis11]

When he talked about the periscope, I thought maybe there was no window. But there is. So the periscope is for rear view I guess. Absolutely fascinating video. Thank you!

[@rbmwiv]

Thanks for this video, and thank you for your service. You flew in the black where very few ever have. Thanks again sir for everything. The SR-71 is the most beautiful airplane ever made in my opinion.

[@andrewshutty3345]

This is by far the best video on earth. This MAN reminds me of my father, who retired number 2 out of 5,000 , senior captain on the 747-400, in 2001, I'm so greatful that we have people who can do this hard work, I've probably watched this 50 times and will probably watch it another 50 times. Hats off to this amazing man..

[@cybrpypr]

just a great presentation. Thank You.

[@johnyted9619]

You see the cockpit of an A380 and imagine how it should be one of SR-71 today! Flying saucer! Beautiful post! Thank you! :)

[@NeighborhoodCarReviews]

So awesome. Blackbird has always been my favorite aircraft. And seeing this in detail is great.

[@itzgrizzim6026]

Neighborhood Car Reviews Theres another version if blackbird but even cooler named SR - 72

[@PetrucciSatriani]

I knew the design of the SR-71 was an incredible achievement but after watching this video, it's magnified that feeling 100 fold. They literally thought of everything. Incredible ingenuity. I'm in awe.

[@ErikJohnston]

That's cool, I'm really glad you liked it.

[@TavoKangru]

Very interesting to see SR-71 cockpit. Thank you!

[@MrRockydee07]

I worked at a company that started in 1957 it was called Raychen. I believe we did some aircraft wireing and connetor work for this plane .

[@robotejiro]

Thanks to the poster for sharing this amazing video. My inner child just had a complete freakout. Greatest walk-through video ever :-)

[@ferrari884]

This guy could fly missions today and not miss a beat.

[@tkeforever4809]

My father would disappear every Sunday night and return “From work” every Friday night. My mom took us kids in our PJ’s to Lockheed in Burbank to pick him up. He had been on this project at Groom Lake (Area 51). Once, while installing titanium rivets, one shot into and embedded itself into his eye. A government agent had to accompany him to the emergency room to recover the material. He wore an eyepatch for a time, which I thought was cool as hell as a kid! He passed in 2002 after a long career at JPL and was and still is my hero!

[@ErikJohnston]

Chris Anderson Holly cow that’s amazing! Thanks for sharing

[@tkeforever4809]

No, thank YOU for this amazing video and for your courageous service, Mr. Johnston! Dad served in the Army Air Corps as a flight line mechanic but was too tall to be a pilot, so he had the next-best job....maintaining them! He went from Lockheed to JPL during the Ranger probe project and retired as a tech writer in 1998. I always walked a little taller when I was with him and grew up with idols like yourself and the Gemini, Mercury and Apollo astronauts. Blackbird pilots had every right taking their place proudly beside these fine astronauts! What a wonderful time to grow up in, and an especially wonderful time for you!

[@ErikJohnston]

Chris Anderson I didn’t serve but my father did for 23 years in the Air Force. Glad you liked the video!!

[@tkeforever4809]

ErikJohnston - Phenomenal video, Erik!! Being a GA pilot, regardless of him working on this project, this has always been my favorite aircraft for so many reasons. Like Yeager and other brave test pilots after him, you guys had total confidence in the “slide-rule” designers of the day and are true American heroes! This aircraft was so far ahead of its time! Wish it still flew!!

[@xenophagia]

@@tkeforever4809 I thank your father for his service and innovation on the marvel of an aircraft.

[@outlawslaw1]

Very captivating video wished it was longer! Had the chance as a child growing up in the Mojave Desert to see her fly and heard more than a few times. Thanks again for sharing

[@zollotech]

Great video

[@ErikJohnston]

Thank you

[@bradleybatt1401]

Jesus christ, only just clocked you put a comment on this five years ago lol. Didn't realise you were a fan too?!

[@xres1329]

Thank you for taking time and make a thorough video of the monster from inside...

[@ME262B2]

Just imagine 40 years ago how many Soviet intelligence efforts were directed to obtaining this information. Thank you so very much for spending the time with us and pulling the veil back a little bit. I have been able to attend a few gatherings of pilots at the War College and have heard some amazing stories of the Soviet overflights. The Cold War was a real war with real bullets and real deaths. The bravery of crews is un-imaginable.

[@berrytharp1334]

@Travis Thacker lmao...canadians. i would say go drink a beer, but beer is stolen technology from another country too.

[@wizlish]

@Travis Thacker - one of the great sadnesses of 'what could have been' was the cancellation of the CF-105 and the Orenda variant to power it. The 'competition' for it was not the F-104 or the Phantom; if anything, it was the 108, the "fighter" use of the technology going into the B-70. And, truth to tell, the same forces that killed the titanium airframe industry in the United States were a large part of the reason for the Arrow being abandoned (together, I strongly suspect, with the utterly abysmal secrecy Canada could keep against Russian, and probably other, interest in the key technologies and systems being developed!) Don't get me going on Diefenbaker. This was not the only expedient short-sighted cost-cutting thing that was done on his watch.

[@mrradio2187]

Thanks for the great video, I worked for former SR-71 navigator at McClellan AFB back in 1989 as civilian temp GS-2. Can't recall his name other than he was a Lt Col and we used to rib him to tell us what it was like to fly at the edge of space. Of course back then he couldn't say a word about his flying experiences but we tried anyway. Great job, our mission was doing admin support for software design engineers who were working on the SDI project.

[@haraldpettersen3649]

My very deepest respect for pilot and aircraft.

[@playstationsrilanka]

This is over 60yrs old tech that second to none. ♥️🔥 This is sick lockheed 🖤🔥

[@jamesroberts2115]

If this aircraft were a new design it would still inspire the awe in 2020 that it did in the 60's.

[@realQuiGon]

It did not inspire much awe in the 60's as barely anyone knew about it.

[@jamesroberts2115]

@@realQuiGon The designers, pilots, ground crews and base personnel knew about it as well as civilians living around the bases it flew out of. Hardly barely anyone.

[@duanebonney]

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Thank you! Had the pleasure of meeting Richard Graham at The Duxford Air Museum, UK in 2013.

[@thebritishindian1]

Fantastic! I've been so impressed with this aircraft and I really appreciate the walk-through. It's an interesting combination of reality vs perception. By looking at the aircraft you imagine that it is so sophisticated. But in reality, it is a combination of relatively simple (even clunky) technology such as fuel, regular aviation instruments etc. Combined with absolutely amazing aeronautical engineering when it comes to the design of the airframe, the engines etc.

[@dirktyler3643]

Exactly my impression.

[@deanoh9980]

I remember the 1st time i ever saw this machine. It was in a static display at r.a.f fairford in the very early 80's and i was around 6 or 7 years old. It was the only display where you were kept much further back from the aircraft than anything else, the cockpit, engine intakes and exits were all sealed with red panelling and i was in awe and now we get to practically sit in the cockpit!!! This phenomenal aircraft, despite being almost ancient still gives me goosebumps. Awesome

[@zrxmax]

Excellent video ! Thanks you for sharing your knowledge of this special plane. Flying at full throttle must have been exilarating !

[@Alpha-Mike-Foxtrot]

I know exactly who this pilot is by his voice. He does not seem like the kind of guy that would ever get in trouble like a DUI. Thanks

[@cwehbe]

What an awesome airplane! What an amazing job you had sir! Thank you for your service of our great nation, and thank you for the video.

[@whogavehimafork]

SR-71 pilots know their aircraft inside and out so thoroughly, history, mechanics, engineering and all, so damn well that's it never ceases to impress me. I'm certain all pilots and especially military pilots share this but I've never seen any other pilot describe an F-16 or a C-130, as cool and important as they are, quite as well as a Blackbird pilot. Habus really are a different breed.

[@zeeeman8744]

Raid any military aviator can tell you what all the instruments in his cockpit are for, that being said the Habu is really amazing

[@zeeeman8744]

And they know the rest of their aircraft equally well

[@ErikJohnston]

I agree, Rich is a man among men.

[@sr71norm]

Worked the DAFICS on these aircraft while at Beale AFB in the late 1980's. Yes, I was a "SAC trained killer." Such great memories! ;)

[@JaydenDasAviator]

Honestly one of the best video i’ve ever seen

[@jimbarrofficial]

This is a mesmerizing video. Amazing how they solved so many challenges in the days before GPS, digital screens, etc. In the end, this airplane was a just a large flying camera - still the most amazing aircraft ever flown.

[@moiggc]

Thanks for these videos man! They answer so many questions I had. Priceless stuff!

[@ErikJohnston]

Your welcome. I like to make these informative

[@davidjones341]

are there any black birds flying left

[@blackbird8632]

dav id jones no

[@1LonePuma]

*VERY IMPRESSIVE TO SAY THE LEAST...WE'RE VERY PROUD TO HAVE SUCH BRAVE WORRIERS FLYING SUCH AN INCREDIBLE PLANE, A SINCERE THANK TO ALL THE PILOTS WHO FLEW THE MIGHTY SR-71 IN SERVICE!!!*

[@futuresonex]

Imagine just how much easier that plane would be to fly with modern avionics & digital fly-by-wire controls. Airframes haven't advanced all that much since the SR-71 was in the air. That's why the F-15, a child of the early 70s, can still be a state of the art fighter, but the advances in avionics and flight control systems have sure made them a hell of a lot easier and safer to fly, not to mention all the incredible sensor packages a plane like the Blackbird could make use of these days!

[@ahmadtheaviationlover1937]

Best explained cockpit video of the vaunted SR71, may this jet rest in peace

[@jerry6711]

Thank you for the dedication, time and effort put in this video. Best regards from Poland!!!

[@boulder89984]

Top five best videos I've ever watched. Thank you for making this. Inside the SR71 is one of those things one dreams about for years and now it has been explained.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Initially I thought it's _surprisingly_ simple. Then I thought about it and it's what I should have expected. For starters, he's the pilot and only needs pilot controls. And it's an aircraft designed to go very fast in a straight line. So, engine, control surfaces, speed, altitude, fuel, environmental controls and a map. Engine configuration is automatic so, yeah, see how beautifully simple it was to fly!

[@mscdorman]

I lived in Okinawa in the late 80's We always knew when the black bird was taking off. such an awesome plane! Happy to have witnessed it in service

[@Vargas3499]

what a beautiful piece of aeronautics

[@barracuda7018]

The greatest engineering feat of all times.....

[@trickcyclists]

Thank you Eric, I really enjoyed this. It was astonishing to hear you talk so nonchalantly about "CRUISING at mach 3 on afterburner"... My God... cruising on afterburner at three times the speed of sound... so routine.. Fabulous.

[@nevyntanis2665]

Nice video mate, thanks. I reckon that pilot just wanted to fly her again.

[@robertglenn5398]

Blackbird singing in the dead of night...take these broken wings and learn to fly, all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise...Blackbird fly...Blackbird fly, into the light of the dark black night...Man, what a great theme song for these guys who actually had the opportunity to fly this wonderful beast!

[@ajcook7777]

smart guy you can tell he didn't slack off in training! knows his shit!

[@pseudocoder78]

The guy was an SR-freakin'-71 pilot. The nearest slacker was miles away.

[@kurnma3776]

A marvel of engineering for the era.

[@MasterMayhem78]

My grandfather worked on the landing system of this plane as well as the U2.