Retired test pilot Ed Schneider uses his hands to demonstrate a maneuver used for in-flight refueling of the legendary SR-71 “Blackbird” aircraft he flew for NASA.ASHLAND -- People always ask “How fast?” “How high?” and “Is it still classified?” when they meet former test pilot Ed Schneider, whose vast experiences as an aviator include many missions from inside the cockpit of the legendary SR-71 “Blackbird,” an aircraft capable of exceeding three times the speed of sound and operating on the edge of Earth’s air.
As the second half of his recent presentation for members and guests of the Eastern Kentucky Military Historical Society at Highlands Museum and Discovery Center, Schneider presented a series of photos of the famous reconnaissance plane and offered details about the SR-71’s history, including the fact one of the only-32 airplanes ever built was made up of two halves that never quite paired exactly right. The plane was nicknamed “The Bastard,” he said, and was not the preferred craft of any Blackbird pilot.
Noting a photo of the aircraft’s all-analog instrument panel, Schneider said “You had to use them all, every flight.” The Sr-71 cockpit was actually quite spacious, he noted, pointing out the airplane was designed to be flown in a full pressure suit similar to those used by astronauts. Those suits, he added, were so well designed they saved the lives of pilots wearing them when they had to eject at Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound) from an altitude of 80,000 feet.
The airplane was so incredibly fast, he explained, not because of sheer thrust and jet power, but by design allowing the engines to take advantage of the raw physics involved with the intake from the shock waves created when the sound barrier is exceeded.
Citing a chapter of local history associated with the SR-71, Schneider showed a photo from the rear of an in-flight Blackbird exhibiting an unusual display called “shock diamonds” coming from the back of the airplane’s two massive engines.
“Ashland Oil added cesium to the formula to minimize that,” Schneider said.
The retired test pilot, who now resides in Dayton, Kentucky, said he is just like everyone else who has an unspeakable passion for the SR-71.
“It’s unique. It’s in a class of it’s own. You’re very much aware of that when you’re in it,” the Navy veteran said. “More people have climbed Mt. Everest than have flown in one. Only two of those were former Naval aviators. I’m a blessed person. It’s beyond luck.”
The next Military History Roundtable meeting by the Eastern Kentucky Military Historical Society will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 19 at the museum.
Story and photo: http://www.dailyindependent.com
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