Colonel Brian Shul, a retired U.S. Air Pressure pilot, is famend for his firsthand accounts of flying the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a strategic reconnaissance plane able to exceeding Mach 3. He typically referred to piloting this demanding plane as “using the sled,” a time period reflecting the extraordinary velocity, altitude, and ability required to function it. This metaphor captures the bodily and psychological calls for positioned on the pilot, likening the expertise to a high-speed, high-stakes journey.
Shul’s experiences and the “sled” metaphor provide invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of human-operated flight at excessive speeds and altitudes. His tales humanize the technological marvel of the SR-71, offering a glimpse into the coaching, self-discipline, and braveness of those that flew it through the Chilly Conflict. These narratives protect an essential chapter in aviation historical past and provide a singular perspective on the operational realities of this iconic plane.
