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
What is Behind the Wings?
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum has a podcast! Based on our hit YouTube and PBS series of the same name, the Behind the Wings podcast will cover everything from aviation history to the future of space exploration with thought leaders and experts in the industry. This one's going to be cool!