I seem to remember a story about the SR-71 when it was going to be retired - the first time. Its speed was always confidential, so they wanted to blow it out one time in public. It took off out west ( San Fran maybe?) went out over the Pacific and refueled. Then it got a running start and landed in Dulles (DC) in about 45 minutes. That is smoking.

Chuck

Chuck, your memory is correct. The flight was just under 1 hour and eight minutes!!
Here's the link to her historic flight.


http://www.wvi.com/~sr71webmaster/972record1.htm

There is something not quite right about the images. I suspect a fake.

Cool link. Thanks.

Now that’s moving!

Too bad the pilots only realize their actual speed via time and distance numbers. At that altitude, there’s no real felling of speed other than ones personal response to numbers on the instrument panel.

I think the guys at half that speed, right on the deck, get the true feeling of just how fast one can travel through the air. They are blessed with ground references (though often a blur). That’s what really gets the rush going.

Quite often we look down at the panel in the C-X and think: “Wow ! Our ground speed is 637 !! Just 2 kts off the corporate record !!” But you have no reference to get a real feel for the speed.

And it never fails.....Over the radio you hear: “Albuquerque…FireFox-4, FO2…Visual on Citation…25 nautical at 11:00… 410.”
And in about 30 seconds the ass end of two F-16s are becoming dots at your 1:00 and high. Never to be seen again.

Military aircraft have a way of putting civilians “hauling ass” into perspective pretty quick.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Like what?

Odd that the plot of the refuel and departure course is hard lined. And yet the approach at East Gate is not ? I did notice that one.

Either way. That thing puts awhole new light on the term "Zoom Zoom".

And NOISY !!! OMG !!

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Look at the F22, can't it "supercruise" at 1k knots without the afterburners?

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2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I heard something like that.
Supersonic cruise w/o ABs.

I guess that’s just a factor of how much engine (non AB) thrust you can pack in.

Says a lot for turbine technology.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !