))
The View at Mach 3 with Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding
Manage episode 434671047 series 3593612
This week, Sandra and Sandy host Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding, a former SR-71 pilot who famously flew the plane on over 90 worldwide reconnaissance missions. Their discussion begins with a look at the development of the SR-71 and how it was a response to the need for better photographic reconnaissance during the Cold War. From there, Yeilding goes on to share his experience of growing up in Florence, Alabama, how he became an Air Force pilot, and the unique construction and design of the plane that allowed it to fly at such high speeds.
He then provides further insight into the experience of flying the SR-71 Blackbird, including the fact that, despite rigorous simulator training, the airplane was prone to malfunctions. He also discusses his final flight in the SR-71, shares his experiences with JT Vida - the test RSO assigned to fly with him to the Smithsonian - and explains the purpose of the speed record flight. Today’s fascinating episode provides an inside look into the SR-71 Blackbird including its enormous contribution to the country for over 25 years, and serves as a powerful testament to the skill and bravery required by Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding and his colleagues to pilot this incredible machine.
The Finer Details of this Episode:
- The development of the SR-71
- Yeilding's experience of growing up in Florence, Alabama
- His journey to become an Air Force pilot
- The unique construction and design of the SR-71
- Flying the RF-4 and F-4 fighter planes
- Yeilding's experience of losing six friends in accidents
- Flying the SR-71
- The unclassified cool aspects of the unique construction and airframe of the SR-71
- Extensive simulator training
- Managing malfunctions
- Setting an official coast-to-coast airplane speed record
- The purpose of the speed record flight
- Reaching the top speed of Mach 3.3
- Yeilding’s experiences with JT Vida
- His final flight in the SR-71
Quotes:
"I really wanted to fly the Blackbird. I had my eyes on it since I was 15 years old when it was announced by President Johnson in 1964."
"During that time, I lost six friends in accidents, practicing for the defense of our freedom."
"It was not designed to be stealthy. It was designed to be faster than anything else in the air and higher than anything else in the air.”
"By the time we had our first flight, we were nearly experts in the airplane just due to all that simulator training."
"Our longest routine missions were five and a half hours."
"We did have an ejection seat similar to most any air fighter, and we had a parachute."
"It was a wonderful airplane to fly, but there was a lot more to it than just flying. It was a true team effort. Every person on the crew, and every person supporting the crew, had to be really, really good."
"So we wanted to do our very best to represent all the Blackbird community in that speed record flight across the country to the Smithsonian."
"And that would call the public's attention to what a great airplane it has been for our country for 25 years. So that was the purpose of the speed record.”
Links:
The Adrenaline Zone on Instagram
67 episodes
Share
