# Test Flying the SR-71 Blackbird - Episode 65

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/behind-the-wings-5485390/test-flying-the-sr-71-blackbird-episode-65
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/behind-the-wings-5485390/test-flying-the-sr-71-blackbird-episode-65.md
Podcast: [Behind the Wings](https://stenobird.com/podcast/behind-the-wings-5485390)
Published: 2025-12-08T20:29:21+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3f8fde32
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/3f8fde32/e5cd3cf9.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/behind-the-wings-5485390/episodes/test-flying-the-sr-71-blackbird-episode-65
Duration seconds: 2516

## Resource

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: Rogers' Website Rogers Smith's Bio (Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame) Rogers' SR-71 Career Synopsis (NASA) SR-71 Fact Sheet (National Museum of the US Air Force) Bell X-22 (Wikipedia) X-29 Advanced Technology Demonstrator Aircraft (NASA) 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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## Transcript

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