RIP Brian Shul

[Yurgon]

On 20 May 2023, Brian Shul, probably the most famous SR-71 Blackbird pilot, passed away shortly after giving a speech about his favorite aircraft.

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/sr-71-pilot-brian-shul-famous-for-his-ground-speed-check-story-passed-away-while-giving-a-speech-about-the-blackbird/

I'm sure you've all heard his L.A. speed check story countless times, but I for one can never hear it too often. Here's to a fallen hero:

RIP Brian, you will be missed.

Of course I also thoroughly enjoyed the Blackbird episode on the Fighter Pilot Podcast and highly recommend to anyone to listen to it, if you haven't already:

https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/episodes/051-sr-71-blackbird/

[Thinder]

RIP.

[MAXsenna]

R.I.P

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk

[shagrat]

What a legend! RIP.

[LucShep]

"I heard a Cessna ask for a readout of its ground speed.
’90 knots’ Center replied.

Moments later,a Twin Beech required the same.
‘120 knots,’ Center answered.

We weren’t the only ones proud of our ground speed that day…as almost instantly an F-18 smugly transmitted, ‘Ah, Center, Dusty 52 requests ground speed readout.’
There was a slight pause, then the response, ‘620 knots on the ground, Dusty.’

Another silent pause.

As I was thinking to myself how ripe a situation this was, I heard a familiar click of a radio transmission coming from my back-seater. It was at that precise moment I realized Walt and I had become a real crew, for we were both thinking in unison.
‘Center, Aspen 20, you got a ground speed readout for us?’
There was a longer than normal pause … ‘Aspen, I show 1,942 knots.’

No further inquiries were heard on that frequency.”
 

RIP Brian Shul 
 

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

He was told his flying days were over, after being shot down on Vietnam. 

More than a year at the hospital

Several years later he applied and passed the tests for the most secret and exclusive aircraft of that time. 

[G.J.S]

16 minutes ago, Ala12Rv-Tundra said:

He was told his flying days were over, after being shot down on Vietnam. 

More than a year at the hospital

Several years later he applied and passed the tests for the most secret and exclusive aircraft of that time. 

Indeed. Horrific burns during the T-28 crash, over 24hrs on the ground in enemy territory with zero pain relief and frequent enemy combatants meters away, eventually picked up by CSAR in the midst of a fierce firefight during extraction, first dose of pain relief was at a hospital well over 24hrs after suffering extensive burns that should have killed him.

Told he would never fly again - he sure showed them!

Not only did he just pass all testing to get back into a cockpit, he absolutely aced it!

True legend.

[BitMaster]

R.I.P.

 

[Sacarino111]

How sad...

R.I.P.

Saca111

[MiGCap1]

Nickel on the grass and blue skies.

[VIKBELL]

Salute sir.

[M14Jackson]

Brian was a great man.  He and I were Recce IPs while we were stationed at Beale, me in the Deuce and him in the Sled.

I still remember the time he brought Sheila O'Grady into the O'Club for the first time.  All jaws dropped with mouths agape at the sight of her in that form fitting red dress.

A proud patriot and warrior.  He will be missed.

RIP Brother.

[markturner1960]

RIP sir.

[Ghostraider]

A Legend pilot stay now forever in heaven wich was his most beautiful element.

RIP

Edited May 26, 2023 by Ghostraider