Test Flying the SR-71 Blackbird - Episode 65 - Behind the Wings

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Test Flying the SR-71 Blackbird - Episode 65

December 8, 2025 • 41 mins

Retired Test Pilot Rogers E. Smith recalls flying the final SR-71 Blackbird flight and how a fuel leak grounded the aircraft forever.

In this episode, we discuss his Canadian and American military careers, flying experimental aircraft for NASA, and piloting a MiG-25 at 80,000 feet in Russia. From first to fourth-generation fighters, Rogers has flown nearly every U.S. jet and then some, all without ever attending a formal test pilot school. This one is going to be cool!

Resources:

Chapters:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:20) - Aviation Beginnings

(02:47) - Flying the F-86

(04:32) - From First to Fourth Generation Fighters

(05:06) - How Jet Capabilities Evolved

(08:58) - Becoming a Test Pilot

(09:56) - Favorite Airplane

(11:04) - The Bell X-22

(12:34) - The Grumman X-29

(15:16) - Joining NASA

(18:37) - Flying at 85,000 Feet

(22:16) - The Cockpit View

(23:40) - SR-71 Research and Testing

(27:44) - The Last Blackbird Flight

(29:40) - The Russian‑American Flight Exchange

(36:52) - Flying the MiG-25

(37:34) - Rogers' Advice

(40:32) - Outro

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.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Test Flying the SR-71 Blackbird - Episode 65