Mojoe Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 My buddy, who's a pilot just emailed this to me. It may be old? But, I found it to be a fun read. Enjoy. Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE The Fastest Guys Out There Written by Brian Schul - former sled driver There were a lot of things we couldn't do in an SR-71, but we were the fastest guys on the block and loved reminding our fellow aviators of this fact. People often asked us if, because of this fact, it was fun to fly the jet. Fun would not be the first word I would use to describe flying this plane. Intense, maybe. Even cerebral. But there was one day in our Sled experience when we would have to say that it was pure fun to be the fastest guys out there, at least for a moment. It occurred when Walt and I were flying our final training sortie. We needed 100 hours in the jet to complete our training and attain Mission Ready status. Somewhere over Colorado we had passed the century mark. We had made the turn in Arizona and the jet was performing flawlessly. My gauges were wired in the front seat and we were starting to feel pretty good about ourselves, not only because we would soon be flying real missions but because we had gained a great deal of confidence in the plane in the past ten months. Ripping across the barren deserts 80,000 feet below us, I could already see the coast of California from the Arizona border. I was, finally, after many humbling months of simulators and study, ahead of the jet. I was beginning to feel a bit sorry for Walter in the back seat. There he was, with no really good view of the incredible sights before us, tasked with monitoring four different radios. This was good practice for him for when we began flying real missions, when a priority transmission from headquarters could be vital. It had been difficult; too, for me to relinquish control of the radios, as during my entire flying career I had controlled my own transmissions. But it was part of the division of duties in this plane and I had adjusted to it. I still insisted on talking on the radio while we were on the ground, however. Walt was so good at many things, but he couldn't match my expertise at sounding smooth on the radios, a skill that had been honed sharply with years in fighter squadrons where the slightest radio miscue was grounds for beheading. He understood that and allowed me that luxury. Just to get a sense of what Walt had to contend with, I pulled the radio toggle switches and monitored the frequencies along with him. The predominant radio chatter was from Los Angeles Center , far below us, controlling daily traffic in their sector. While they had us on their scope (albeit briefly), we were in uncontrolled airspace and normally would not talk to them unless we needed to descend into their airspace. We listened as the shaky voice of a lone Cessna pilot asked Center for a readout of his ground speed. Center replied: November Charlie 175, I'm showing you at ninety knots on the ground. Now the thing to understand about Center controllers was that whether they were talking to a rookie pilot in a Cessna, or to Air Force One, they always spoke in the exact same, calm, deep, professional, tone that made one feel important. I referred to it as the " Houston Center voice." I have always felt that after years of seeing documentaries on this country's space program and listening to the calm and distinct voice of the Houston controllers, that all other controllers since then wanted to sound like that... and that they basically did. And it didn't matter what sector of the country we would be flying in, it always seemed like the same guy was talking. Over the years that tone of voice had become somewhat of a comforting sound to pilots everywhere. Conversely, over the years, pilots always wanted to ensure that, when transmitting, they sounded like Chuck Yeager, or at least like John Wayne. Better to die than sound bad on the radios. Just moments after the Cessna's inquiry, a Twin Beech piped up on frequency, in a rather superior tone, asking for his groundspeed. I have you at one hundred and twenty-five knots of ground speed. Boy, I thought, the Beechcraft really must think he is dazzling his Cessna brethren. Then out of the blue, a Navy F-18 pilot out of NAS Lemoore came up on frequency. You knew right away it was a Navy jock because he sounded very cool on the radios. Center, Dusty 52 ground speed check Before Center could reply, I'm thinking to myself, hey, Dusty 52 has a ground speed indicator in that million-dollar cockpit, so why is he asking Center for a readout? Then I got it, ol' Dusty here is making sure that every bug smasher from Mount Whitney to the Mojave knows what true speed is. He's the fastest dude in the valley today, and he just wants everyone to know how much fun he is having in his new Hornet. And the reply, always with that same, calm, voice, with more distinct alliteration than emotion: Dusty 52, Center, we have you at 620 on the ground. And I thought to myself, is this a ripe situation, or what? As my hand instinctively reached for the mic button, I had to remind myself that Walt was in control of the radios. Still, I thought, it must be done - in mere seconds we'll be out of the sector and the opportunity will be lost. That Hornet must die, and die now. I thought about all of our Sim training and how important it was that we developed well as a crew and knew that to jump in on the radios now would destroy the integrity of all that we had worked toward becoming. I was torn. Somewhere, 13 miles above Arizona , there was a pilot screaming inside his space helmet. Then, I heard it. The click of the mic button from the back seat. That was the very moment that I knew Walter and I had become a crew. Very professionally, and with no emotion, Walter spoke: Los Angeles Center , Aspen 20, can you give us a ground speed check? There was no hesitation, and the replay came as if was an everyday request. Aspen 20, I show you at one thousand eight hundred and forty-two knots, across the ground. I think it was the forty-two knots that I liked the best, so accurate and proud was Center to deliver that information without hesitation, and you just knew he was smiling. But the precise point at which I knew that Walt and I were going to be really good friends for a long time was when he keyed the mic once again to say, in his most fighter-pilot-like voice: Ah, Center, much thanks, We're showing closer to nineteen hundred on the money. For a moment Walter was a god. And we finally heard a little crack in the armor of the Houston Center voice, when L.A. came back with, Roger that Aspen , Your equipment is probably more accurate than ours. You boys have a good one. It all had lasted for just moments, but in that short, memorable sprint across the southwest, the Navy had been flamed, all mortal airplanes on freq were forced to bow before the King of Speed, and more importantly, Walter and I had crossed the threshold of being a crew. A fine day's work. We never heard another transmission on that frequency all the way to the coast. For just one day, it truly was fun being the fastest guys out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 haha thatwas a great read. Although with the S R-71 retired I would like to know what its replacement is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 Satellites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berto Posted February 26, 2007 Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 planets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted February 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2007 EDIT: Correction, 1900 knots = 2,186.48 MPH. Un fucking believable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Pomade Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Awesome story. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Apex Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Great story Joe!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 shit that's nothing. I hear JP is building a Toyota Sienna that traps 2000 knots in the 1/4.... If you any of you guys haven't been there, take the time to go to the Dayton Aviation Museum. They have 1 or 2 SR-71's there I believe As far as the replacement, I believe the consensus is the unacknowledged "Aurora" project. Though the F-22 is acting as a replacement for the F-117 and the F-15. I think they may be also designing a JSF Fighter (F-35 I believe) to replace the F/A-18, but for now I think they're ok using those UAVs for recon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRocket1647545505 Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 As far as the replacement, I believe the consensus is the unacknowledged "Aurora" project. Though the F-22 is acting as a replacement for the F-117 and the F-15. I think they may be also designing a JSF Fighter (F-35 I believe) to replace the F/A-18, but for now I think they're ok using those UAVs for recon. There really is no need for an "Aurora". Satellites have such good vision that it would be almost pointless. Almost. The only time I can think that we would need such a plane, is when the enemy knows a satellite is passing over, and hides their shit from our cameras. They most likely wouldn't know about a plane of such caliber passing over until it's too late. Though, I'm not arguing against the building of such a plane. I'd love for such an aircraft to be built. We're long overdue to get back into an airborne speed war. The days of the X planes needs to return in full force. You are correct that the F-22 is mostly a replacement for the aging F-15, and will take over the F117's roles as well. The F-35 lightning II (JSF) is slated to be released in 3 variations, to replace 3 different planes: The Air Force variant is to replace the F-16. The Navy Variant (larger wings for slower approach speeds. Folding wings for easy parking. And beefy landing gear for hard carrier landings.) is to take over the F-18's duties. The Marine Corp. variant (vertical take-off and landing) is due to replace the Harrier for close air support of ground troops. ...The more you know.... Oh, and badass story Joe. I used to have one somewhere (still kicking myself in the ass for not saving it) about an SR-71 crew member who survived a crash in one of those things. Makes any car crash you're in seems like a cake walk compared to what they went through. I'll see if I can't dig it up again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted February 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Glad you guys like it. Great info Austin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Apex Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 shit that's nothing. If you any of you guys haven't been there, take the time to go to the Dayton Aviation Museum. They have 1 or 2 SR-71's there I believe It's still there, I touched it and had a hard on for a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorne Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 you know your fast when...... Air Traffic control gets your speed wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 If you any of you guys haven't been there, take the time to go to the Dayton Aviation Museum. They have 1 or 2 SR-71's there I believe That museum is the shiz, megaman and I used to go there every spring break with my dad and little brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got-Boost? Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 You guys really need to check out the United States Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB (Dayton, OH). http://www.afmuseum.com/ Once they get building on the fourth hangar, it will be the largest Aircraft Museum in the World. There are a few more test birds over in the Area B hangar if you guys get over there. Pretty cool stuff and one of about everything, not to mention the speed and altitude record holding aircraft. Not to mention a couple other one of a kinds... Some other info for those interested.... http://www.blackbirds.net/sr71/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Josh, did you ever get to the presidental planes? I think they're there with the test planes. Or they may have moved them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted February 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 They are with the Air Force One exhibit as of 2 months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got-Boost? Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Yes, they are in the hangar beside the Air Force 1 stuff. They have moved a lot of it out though. I just hope they bring it back for the 4th hangar exhibit. Anyone been over to see the Memphis Belle being restored...? Another great Aviation museum is the Air and Space Musuem out at Washington Dulles. It's the one at the airport and not down town D.C.... http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/floorplans/uhcmap.cfm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffmeden Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Is the Dayton aviation museum different from the Air Force museum at wright-patt? I've been to the AF Museum several times, its free (donations welcome) and the variety of planes they have is awe-inspiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Sent this to my dad who is retired from the Air Force. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Is the Dayton aviation museum different from the Air Force museum at wright-patt? I've been to the AF Museum several times, its free (donations welcome) and the variety of planes they have is awe-inspiring. Its the same, I FUBAR'd the name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got-Boost? Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Is the Dayton aviation museum different from the Air Force museum at wright-patt? I've been to the AF Museum several times, its free (donations welcome) and the variety of planes they have is awe-inspiring. It was a joke, there is no Dayton Aviation Museum.....it's the United States Air Force Museum.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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