Behind the Wings ®
The Podcast – S7, Episode 65
Retired Test Pilot Rogers E. Smith recalls flying the final SR-71 Blackbird flight and how a fuel leak grounded the aircraft forever.
Listen Anywhere! Apple | Spotify | Patreon | All Players
In this episode, we discuss his Canadian and American military career, 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 American jet and then some, all without ever attending a formal test pilot school. This one is going to be cool!
Key Takeaways:
- Rogers flew over 80 different aircraft and logged 11,500 flight hours over the course of his career. His favorite airplane to fly was the F-16.
- Flying the SR-71 at 85,000 feet required constant attention. Even the smallest mistake or malfunction could cause an emergency, leaving no room for sightseeing.
- In 1997, Smith was selected for the Russian‑American Flight Research Exchange Program, where he flew the MiG-25, Su-27, MiG-29, and L-39, while Russian pilots operated the F-15, F-16, and F/A-18.
Resources:
Want more Behind the Wings?
Peek into the cockpits of rare warbirds and spacecraft, hear from aerospace experts and more in our episodic documentary series!
Learn more