A replay of our conversation with USAF Maj. Brian Shul from Airplane Geeks Episode 375.

Brian Shul served as an Air Force fighter pilot from 1970-1990. Shot down during the Viet Nam Conflict, and unable to eject, he rode the plane into the jungle and was seriously burned in the ensuing fireball. Lucky to be alive, he spent a year in the hospital and was told his flying days were over.

Miraculously, after many surgeries and months of physical therapy, Brian returned to active flying duty.  He went on to fly the A-7D, he was in the first A-10 squadron, he taught at the Air Force’s TopGun school in the F-5B, and his flying career culminated by flying the SR-71 spy plane.  

After retiring from the Air Force, Brian pursued his writing and photography by starting his own business with Gallery One. He was the first man to write a book about flying the SR-71, all illustrated with his own photography. Brian flew extensively with the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels and wrote books about both teams.

Sadly, Brian Shul died on May 20, 2023, in a Reno, Nevada hospital. The cause of death was reported as cardiac arrest. He was 75.

Learn more about Brian and his books at SledDriver.com, and his photography can be found at Gallery One Images. Consider making a Donation in Brian’s memory.

Our interview originally appeared in Airplane Geeks Episode 375, published on November 4, 2015.

Video: Brian Shul – From Butterflies to Blackbirds