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
