Brian Shul the SR-71 pilot has passed away.

[westwall]

I can't post a link yet, but I heard it through the grapevine.

 

[miketx]

R.I.P. sled driver.

Brian Shul - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Brian Shul (February 8, 1948 - May 20, 2023) was a Vietnam War-era attack pilot and a retired major in the United States Air Force (USAF). He flew 212 combat missions and was shot down near the end of the war. He was so badly burned that he was given next to no chance to live. Surviving, he returned to full flight status, flying the SR-71 Blackbird. Major Shul completed a 20-year career in the Air Force. He wrote four books on aviation and ran a photo studio in Marysville, California until his death in Reno, Nevada.[2]

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

R.I.P. sled driver.

Brian Shul - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Brian Shul (February 8, 1948 - May 20, 2023) was a Vietnam War-era attack pilot and a retired major in the United States Air Force (USAF). He flew 212 combat missions and was shot down near the end of the war. He was so badly burned that he was given next to no chance to live. Surviving, he returned to full flight status, flying the SR-71 Blackbird. Major Shul completed a 20-year career in the Air Force. He wrote four books on aviation and ran a photo studio in Marysville, California until his death in Reno, Nevada.[2]

That was a jet that could touch the last edge of the atmosphere. Mach 3 was its cruising speed, but i think it achieved even faster than that.

While i was working in the Air Force, an SR-71 was flying over North Korea when they shot a SAM at the blackbird. It didnt even come close, but it was Top Secret, until the news broke about 30 minutes later.