And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Monday, February 27, 2023
The SR-71 "Buzzing the tower" at Sacramento Airport
I worked for John Andrews, San Diego in the 80s...his company was the one that created the model of the SR71...the one the congressman held up asking why his kid could purchase the model, but no congress people were even supposed to know that it existed. Fun times.
A friend who had been an AF navigator but was now a CFI told me he was on duty during an airshow at an AF base that a Black Bird not part of the show came down to make a low pass in full burner. Then they turned around and did it again from opposite direction.
Andy said he overheard they were making an approach so he expected their arrival. He didn't expect the speed and earth shattering roar. The crowd and most of the servicemen were caught completely unaware and hit the deck or went running for cover. Windows shattered and car alarms blaring and people running every which way bumping into each other. Complete pandemonium.
To me the Blackbird program represents one of the absolute pinnacles of American engineering prowess. It predates computer engineering analysis; the plane was designed to exacting specifications using slide rules, using the properties of hard-to-source materials to their absolute physical limits. It was advanced way beyond its years of operation. Even with today's computing power, I would be skeptical that the engineering talent on the ground today could replicate the program's success.
The better story is Brian Shul doing the LA Speed Check.
I had the honor of being in one of his motivational classes about 23 years ago. The tower buzzing and the LA Speed Check were a part of the two hour lecture. I deeply admire what Brian has accomplished.
I worked for John Andrews, San Diego in the 80s...his company was the one that created the model of the SR71...the one the congressman held up asking why his kid could purchase the model, but no congress people were even supposed to know that it existed. Fun times.
ReplyDeleteA friend who had been an AF navigator but was now a CFI told me he was on duty during an airshow at an AF base that a Black Bird not part of the show came down to make a low pass in full burner. Then they turned around and did it again from opposite direction.
ReplyDeleteAndy said he overheard they were making an approach so he expected their arrival. He didn't expect the speed and earth shattering roar. The crowd and most of the servicemen were caught completely unaware and hit the deck or went running for cover. Windows shattered and car alarms blaring and people running every which way bumping into each other. Complete pandemonium.
To me the Blackbird program represents one of the absolute pinnacles of American engineering prowess. It predates computer engineering analysis; the plane was designed to exacting specifications using slide rules, using the properties of hard-to-source materials to their absolute physical limits. It was advanced way beyond its years of operation. Even with today's computing power, I would be skeptical that the engineering talent on the ground today could replicate the program's success.
ReplyDeleteHow slow can a Blackbird go: https://www.thesr71blackbird.com/Aircraft/Stories/sr-71-blackbird-the-slowest-flyby
ReplyDeleteGood story
ReplyDeleteThe better story is Brian Shul doing the LA Speed Check.
ReplyDeleteI had the honor of being in one of his motivational classes about 23 years ago. The tower buzzing and the LA Speed Check were a part of the two hour lecture. I deeply admire what Brian has accomplished.
Had not heard that one. Now I have two stories I will chuckle at every time I see that bird.
ReplyDeleteBear Claw