"Slow the aircraft down to 2.8 Mach". I'm still trying to get my head around that. Great interview, great pilot.
@Ditmanppi6 жыл бұрын
Rich Graham is probably the best interview out there about flying the SR-71 and the program as a whole. Especially considering he made it all the way to wing commander at Beale. He's so informed and conveys his experiences so well I could listen for hours.
@maximilliancunningham60912 ай бұрын
Look for Frank Murray, on you tube, who flew the A-12, even a little higher and faster.
@sillyoldbastard32805 жыл бұрын
He teaches at the local flying school! Lucky students My mentor and instructor was a retired 747 captain and I've thought that was pretty cool but an SR71 pilot... well that is another league.
@n7565j6 жыл бұрын
I met Mr Graham at Sun n Fun in Lakeland Fl in 2003. He gave a terrific talk on the SR then spent about an hour just chatting with me about flying afterwards :-) He's a genuine American Hero!!! I have all of his books, signed of course ;-) Thank you for posting this interview, you do a superb job of prompting the subject and letting him tell his story!!! :-)
@timrogers20456 жыл бұрын
To have met Mr Graham must have been truly inspiring. Fair play to you Brian.
@JosephHF7 жыл бұрын
Awesome. I always love hearing this guy speak.
@cgmp5764 Жыл бұрын
Fascinating to listen to.
@strangersound7 жыл бұрын
Thanks, these interviews are invaluable historical documents. :)
@Aircrewinterview7 жыл бұрын
Your very welcome.
@frankcrawford4167 жыл бұрын
Thank you for posting. It is very cool to hear from an actual pilot of these marvelous planes. The pilots are just as cool.
@ApolloVIIIYouAreGoForTLI Жыл бұрын
I still cant imagine what it must of been like seeing these in 60's for the first time...They still look futuristic & alien in 2023!
@rmb6896 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this upload. I had the privilege of watching the SR71 fly in Okinawa back in 87-88. Semper FI
@Aircrewinterview6 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it. I never had the privilege of seeing on in the air.
@thefrecklepuny8 жыл бұрын
Again, an understated yet fascinating interview from a pilot who flew a unique aircraft. Very good work.
@Aircrewinterview8 жыл бұрын
Thanks very much, he was a very pleasant man.
@anchor40674 жыл бұрын
@@Aircrewinterview ouw is he late?
@mcaste84952 жыл бұрын
Great interview with a true American hero. Thank you for your service.
@richardroddenberry20794 жыл бұрын
Thanks, for a very good interview. I enjoyed it very much. As a ret USAF Vet and First Sergeant, and about the same age as Richard. I thank you for your sevice to our country.
@RealFloridaHorseman7 жыл бұрын
I launched & recovered the Sled while I was stationed in Kadena Tower, 1/69 thru 7/70. Best duty ever!
@Aircrewinterview7 жыл бұрын
I am rather jealous! I bet it was a great experience.
@TheDormonid6 жыл бұрын
is SLED his callsign?
@jimbrown52682 жыл бұрын
Col Graham is so laid back. Thanks to both of you
@flywheel986 Жыл бұрын
Had an opportunity to check out a "Habu" at Kadena AFB. First impression was it leaked like a sieve, JP7 dripped from every seam. Was told that it was an intentional design feature since the airframe contracted at speed and expanded while grounded. The crews mopped and wiped constantly, and the crew chief was very glad for the extremely high flash point.
@MS-gr2nv6 жыл бұрын
Kadena, OKINAWA, awesome, I was at Camp Hansen in the 90, Love the Aircrew Interviews...
@Aircrewinterview6 жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@finchleyflyer7 жыл бұрын
Yes, really enjoyed that. Typically understated, as so many of these very talented guys seem to be. Must go and buy a couple of his books!
@Aircrewinterview7 жыл бұрын
Peter Clark thanks once again, Peter.
@Aircrewinterview7 жыл бұрын
Thanks Peter, I know what you mean, i believe they should get a lot more recognition for what they are doing.
@Ditmanppi6 жыл бұрын
Aircrew Interview I kind of feel like that understated and humble approach to flying is what made them ideal candidates in the first place. No egomaniacs or hotheads flying the Blackbird. :)
@Avofan4 жыл бұрын
Guys like him whi flew the SR have the ultimate bragging right when it comes to flying.
@distortedreality46037 жыл бұрын
cracking interview yet again! Never got to see the Blackbird fly unfortunately 😔
@Aircrewinterview7 жыл бұрын
Thanks very much. I didn't either unfortunately.
@danaharper9708 Жыл бұрын
The pride an imprisoned man may feel in obtaining his GED is noteworthy. That Cunningham used his knowledge to assist others in completing their GED goals is honorable.
@Cheka__4 жыл бұрын
Great interview. This dude seems super cool.
@floydvail75272 жыл бұрын
My Uncle Floyd Jimmy Rhoton, was a "Crew Chief" of one of those SR-71's. Lockheed Skunkworks, Palmdale, California . I have pictures that he gave me. of Special Events. He was known as "Pappy Rhoton" w/ SR71 Crew Chief/ SkunkWorks Team. A great man, from Holdenville, Oklahoma. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I was named after him, Floyd Jimmy Vail in Okc, Ok.
@floydvail75272 жыл бұрын
Would like a reply, if you knew him, My Uncle Floyd Jimmy Rhoton, "Pappy" Rhoton /Crew Chief, SR71 Blackbird, Skunk Works team. thanks, FJV. in Okc
@TheDarwiniser7 жыл бұрын
Currently reading Dan Hamptons Hunter Killers book about Weasels over Vietnam. Doesnt mention Rich but the cross reference is great to hear.
@ronjon7942 Жыл бұрын
Nice work.
@OrionRox2 жыл бұрын
Just imaging instructed by Rich in the Cessna, gotta be every student pilot's dream.
@aengberg17 жыл бұрын
What a fantastic channel.... love it, thank you!
@Aircrewinterview7 жыл бұрын
Thanks very much Adam. I am glad your enjoying the interviews :)
@anuashokan81113 жыл бұрын
Thank u for ur service sir respect from india
@jato626 жыл бұрын
Pretty unbelievable your getting your PPL at the local flying club and your IP used to fly SR-71s!!!
@phillipneal92892 жыл бұрын
Keep watching this periodically and I enjoy it more every time I do . Come on Mike more Okie. Possibly Hey Joe as well?
@Aircrewinterview2 жыл бұрын
It’s certainly a possibility, Phillip.
@knightlife984 жыл бұрын
While not as maneuverable as a Jet Fighter, I still have trouble figuring out, what's above becoming an SR-71 Pilot!? Maybe a ride on a rocket to Space? Maybe witnessing an Iowa Class Battleship, fire it's 16" Mark 7 Guns for an extended amount of time? I guess it all boils down to one's perspective, but I'm not going to believe for a second. That it wasn't freak'n awesome, to fly around in the legendary SR-71!!!
@rdubb774 жыл бұрын
A lot of the pilots just went to the airlines, just like the fighter pilots. Since they were the best of the best, some of them, like Graham, ended up in positions at the Pentagon
@BluesBoy-ij2rb10 ай бұрын
Maybe an astronaut going 17,000 mph on a rocket !!!!!.................... Erik
@dougstitt1652 Жыл бұрын
great interview ! he is a cool guy.
@knightlife984 жыл бұрын
What!? You're Father didn't disown you for becoming an AIR FORCE Pilot!? Lol...!!! On a serious note, I am so very grateful for you and your Father's, Service and Sacrifice to this Country!
@pschierhorn7 жыл бұрын
Seeing MiG-25s coming up and being comfortable because they can match neither your speed nor your altitude... unique position. :-D
@possiblyadickhead66536 жыл бұрын
Ian Mangham it's not like the had that much fuel either
@possiblyadickhead66536 жыл бұрын
pschierhorn as you heard the got close to full loud in order to fly around one hour
@possiblyadickhead66536 жыл бұрын
pschierhorn also ever heard of missiles. As he said the migs didn't fire at all (maybe didn't even look them)
@Supersonicfifi20102 жыл бұрын
I ve got the same feeling while skiing.... untouchable🤣
@trespire7 жыл бұрын
Operating the intelligence gathering planes, these aircrew & other operators helped protect the peace during the cold war.
@terrygrady76832 жыл бұрын
Rich sounds competent as can be.
@iananderson78834 жыл бұрын
"We'd slow down to 2.8 mach" ha ha
@mickd894Ай бұрын
9th AMS Bat Cave checking in.
@agt1556 жыл бұрын
You could have told the poor guy about that mouse on his shirt.
@toddmartin65722 жыл бұрын
All these pilots kicked major ass!!
@richw19073 жыл бұрын
Did you ever run across Robin Olds, If so what was your take on him???
@paulnutter17134 жыл бұрын
Post strike in Libya, they also covered the work to rule in Iraq but that's still classified
@Q2bFF4 жыл бұрын
Mil den hall had the sr-71 at one time?
@AwesomeFullHDvideos3 жыл бұрын
does rich have his own website ?
@Aircrewinterview3 жыл бұрын
I don’t believe so mate.
@AwesomeFullHDvideos3 жыл бұрын
@@Aircrewinterview thanks
@parkpunk26 жыл бұрын
throttle on right?
@1903chrisholden6 жыл бұрын
Is he contactable?
@trentkeller58906 жыл бұрын
1903chrisholden E-mail him at : habu5@verizon.net Real nice guy. I have all five of his signed books. I served in USAF same timeframe as he did. Real American hero!
@1903chrisholden5 жыл бұрын
@@trentkeller5890 thankyou good sir
@phillipneal92892 жыл бұрын
Bollocks just watched Keith Okie Nance interview then commented on it but by the time I'd done that the thing had moved on and I find myself commenting on the wrong interview
@chetlahet55792 жыл бұрын
💛✌️🌟💪😡
@dyandisraeli34666 жыл бұрын
Please explain how a plane going that fast makes adjustment for the curvature of the earth. Or is the earth Flat?
@DoctorShocktor6 жыл бұрын
Dyan Disraeli More importantly, how does someone get to your age without learning elementary physics and geography? Dropped out in grade 2? Too many drugs? We suggest you reapply to an elementary school and ask for additional emphasis on gravity and how it continually pulls objects toward the center of planetary mass. I.E. “level”. Best of luck in your studies, as going through life stupid is a serious handicap.
@allin43956 жыл бұрын
Yes it’s flat.
@possiblyadickhead66536 жыл бұрын
Dyan Disraeli right I mean the nasa lied to us our whole lifes I guess the military does to now :))))))))))))))))
@allin43954 жыл бұрын
Happy Bear yes it’s a flat slice of American cheese. Everyone knows that!
@bushyfromoz88342 жыл бұрын
There is no earth, its actually a galactic pizza
@bruceblake99427 жыл бұрын
There is no enjoyment from me of stories of the murderers of civilians in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Frankly, they all should die in shame for what they did. [Aussie]
@tsgibson917 жыл бұрын
Bruce Blake Here's to wishing you were there.
@michaelgrey78545 жыл бұрын
Bruce get a life.
@richardorsulich46983 жыл бұрын
Flog
@EdMcF13 жыл бұрын
He did his best to stop the murdering Communists. They might have taken Australia had the USA not been interested.
@andersschoen36132 жыл бұрын
Bruce….. your a complete idiot…… not surprised since you come from that shithole country down under.