Flying the SR-71 Blackbird

In the Cockpit on a Secret Operational Mission

By: Richard H. Graham

Narrated by: Shawn Compton

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

For anyone who has ever wondered what it's like to fly the SR-71 on a secret Mach 3 reconnaissance mission, this book has the answer. Completely redesigned and updated with photos from author Colonel Richard H. Graham's personal archive, as well as a new introduction, Flying the SR-71 Blackbird details what an SR-71 mission entailed, from planning to donning a pressure suit to returning to base.

The Lockheed SR-71, unofficially known as the Blackbird, was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed by Lockheed Skunk Works. The aircraft flew so fast and high that not one was ever shot down, even by a missile. SR-71 pilot and instructor Colonel Richard Graham offers a rare cockpit perspective on how regular Air Force pilots and navigators transformed themselves into SR-71 Blackbird crews, turning their unique aviation talents to account in an unprecedented way.

Arguably the world's foremost expert on piloting the Blackbird, Graham takes listeners along on an operational mission that only a few Air Force pilots have ever experienced.

©2008, 2010, 2019 Richard H. Graham (P)2021 Tantor

This book is basically void of content or story.

About 75% of this book is just the author reading the checklist that pilots used. I think most readers would be looking for stories about flying, training, the missions and that's just non existent here. I'm an aviation nerd and a huge fan boy of the SR-71, I think there's a million cool things about this plane and none of them are the checklists.

As fun as reading tax instructions

To borrow a phrase from the book

…reading this book is mostly hours of boredom mixed with minutes of entertainment.

There’s several chapters dedicated to checklists. For lay people. No good.

Course I will say that the introduction did warn of this. However, I had already bought the book so was going to work through it

Dull

Like someone was reading the owners manual of your car to you. It’s literally thousands of things you really don’t care about

Greatest aircraft ever

I was on the team that initiated the KC135 Q refueling operations at RAF
Mildenhall and this was a wonderfully written book about the Blackbird and it’s refueling support. Thank you Richard Graham. I have purchased this book in hardcover and it will have a special place in my personal library along with all the memories you ignited once more!

History, aircraft, and espionage buffs READ THIS!

this book is hands down incredibly interesting to those that enjoy history, details, espionage, and the SR-71 Blackbird. this book does give an incredibly detailed view from the pilot and Cruz point of view that encompasses much more than just the cockpit. what made this book five stars for me Isn't it could have been an incredibly tedious and monotonous task going through what each gauge lever switch and button does but both the author and the narrator do and wizard job throwing in anecdotes or stories behind many of the switches Etc very interesting

Absolutely excellent book

Very well written and the narration is top notch. Must read for any aviation enthusiast. If you want detailed information on the blackbird, then this is the book to get.

A one of a kind aircraft that should be flying

The SR-71 was a genius machine. Nothing has ever been designed so perfect for it's mission. Everyone involved with this program is a hero.

Bit nerdy but some good stuff in there

Sometimes a bit dry and specific but it's what is say on the tin. It's a full cockpit seat experience on what it was like to train, fly and be in the SR71 programme. Missss the paperwork with the hard copy a bit but a good listen all the same. Especially as it's so laden with facts and figures on the Blackbird story.

Really pleased I got this myself, but I think you need to be a pretty hardcore aviation enthusiast to appreciate it.

Now, if only "Sled Driver" was on Audible :-(.

3x the speed

Flying the SR-71 Blackbird by #RichardHGraham. So if you want to know what it's like 🚀 flying at 3x the speed of sound, this #book takes you there. The writing about the @LockheedMartin & #skunkworks supersonic jet was detailed and accurate throughout. 📚 4/5🌟 #bookreview

Wonderful

If you are interested in these planes, you'll be interested in this book. It is a superb insight into the Blackbird and it's variants.