The Old Fly Guy Network

SR-71 in Trouble: When Sweden Came to the Rescue

On June 29, 1987, at the height of the Cold War, an SR-71 Blackbird flying a reconnaissance mission over the Baltic experienced an inflight emergency that suddenly transformed one of the world's fastest and most elusive aircraft into something almost unimaginable:

A vulnerable Blackbird.

In this special Old Fly Guy interview from Duxford, former SR-71 Reconnaissance Systems Officer Tom Veltri takes us inside that extraordinary mission—and we're joined by Swedish Air Force Colonel Per-Olof Eldh, providing a Swedish perspective on a remarkable Cold War aviation story.

Tom and pilot Duane Noll were flying a regular Baltic Express reconnaissance mission when the SR-71 suffered an engine failure. The Blackbird descended rapidly to approximately 25,000 feet, losing the altitude and speed that normally helped keep it beyond the reach of potential threats.

Suddenly, the crew was confronting the possibility that their highly sensitive reconnaissance aircraft could become vulnerable to interception.

Tom recalls that if hostile fighters attacked, their plan was essentially to point the aircraft down and eject rather than allow the Blackbird to fall into Soviet hands.

Then Tom spotted aircraft approaching from the east.

At first, the SR-71 crew didn't know who they were.

They turned out to be Swedish Air Force Saab JA 37 Viggens.

Two pairs of Swedish Viggens intercepted the crippled SR-71. After assessing that the Blackbird was experiencing an emergency, the Swedish pilots provided protection against potential threats and helped escort the aircraft beyond Swedish territorial boundaries so that it could safely recover. More than three decades later, the U.S. Air Force formally recognized the Swedish pilots' actions with Air Medals.

SR-71 Ejection: Blair Bozek's Incredible Blackbird Survival Story

What happens when a routine Mach 3 flight at 75,000 feet suddenly becomes a fight for survival?

During an SR-71 mission over the western Pacific, Reconnaissance Systems Officer Blair Bozek and pilot Dan House were enjoying what Blair describes as a "rocket ride" when they heard a seemingly innocent pop.

Within moments, their SR-71 Blackbird was in serious trouble.

What initially seemed like an engine unstart became something far worse. The left engine failed and seized, problems developed with the right engine's hydraulic system, and the Blackbird began violently rolling—at times reaching approximately 75 degrees of bank—while pitching upward.

The crew fought to control the aircraft, worked emergency checklists, coordinated with support aircraft and tried to reach Clark Air Base in the Philippines. But as hydraulic pressure became increasingly unreliable, the situation reached the point every aircrew trains for but hopes never to experience.

It was time to get out.

SR-71 Blackbird: The Crew Behind Mach 3

The SR-71 Blackbird was built from titanium, flew above 80,000 feet, traveled at more than Mach 3, and incorporated technology decades ahead of its time. But according to the people who actually flew it, one of the Blackbird's most important systems wasn't made of titanium at all.

It was trust.

In this Old Fly Guy episode from IWM Duxford, we sit down with Maury Rosenberg and Eddie McKim to explore the remarkable relationship between an SR-71 pilot and Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO). Separated into two cockpits and communicating only through the interphone, these two crew members had distinctly different responsibilities—but had to operate as one team.

At roughly 32 miles per minute, there wasn't much time for unnecessary conversation. Communication had to be short, precise and understood the first time. The pilot's first responsibility was simple: fly the airplane. Behind him, the RSO managed navigation, reconnaissance systems, mission progress and checklists. When something went wrong, each had to trust that the other was doing his job.

And things could go wrong quickly.

We hear what an infamous SR-71 "unstart" was really like—a violent inlet event powerful enough to throw a pilot's head against the canopy—and why the response always came back to one basic principle: fly the airplane first.

Maury and Eddie also take us inside the challenges of SR-71 aerial refueling, something required on roughly 90% of missions shortly after takeoff. With a restrictive pressure suit, limited visibility through the Blackbird's V-shaped windscreen and a tanker just feet overhead, refueling demanded another level of precision.

The conversation explores mission planning, inertial navigation, pressure suits, 100% oxygen, extreme temperatures, engine inlet technology and the extraordinary engineering solutions developed by Kelly Johnson and the Lockheed Skunk Works team. As Kelly Johnson reportedly observed, so much of what the Blackbird required simply had to be invented.

But this episode ultimately isn't about titanium, speed or altitude.

It's about two people, two cockpits and one mission.

Our Duxford journey begins here.

Join the Old Fly Guy for the first full-length episode from Imperial War Museum Duxford in England, as we walk one of the world's most historic aviation sites and discover more than 100 years of military aviation history.

From the original Duxford control tower, operations buildings and Battle of Britain history to incredible warbirds, restoration projects and the remarkable American Air Museum, this first episode gives you a ground-level look at a place where aviation history didn't just get preserved—it actually happened.

Along the way, we discover the PBY "Miss Pickup," explore the Battle of Britain exhibits, step inside Duxford's historic operations area, visit aircraft and military equipment undergoing restoration, and get a close look at a rare Heinkel He 162 Volksjäger, one of Germany's last attempts to change the course of the air war with jet technology.

Then we enter the American Air Museum, surrounded by legendary aircraft including the B-17 Flying Fortress, P-51 Mustang, B-25 Mitchell, B-52 Stratofortress and SR-71 Blackbird. But the aircraft only tell part of the story. The museum also provides a sobering reminder of the tremendous human cost of war and the American airmen and women who served from Britain.

And this is only the beginning.

This is the first of several Old Fly Guy episodes from Duxford. We'll explore the American Air Museum in greater detail, uncover more of Duxford's remarkable history and take you inside the airshow. And then there are the stories we're intentionally saving for later: our special conversations with the men and families of the SR-71 Blackbird community.

Duxford. Battle of Britain. WWII aviation. Warbirds. American Air Museum. Aircraft restoration. Military aviation history. Imperial War Museum. SR-71 Blackbird. Aviation museums. Historic aircraft. Old Fly Guy.

How do you become a pilot in today's aviation world, and what does it really cost?

At Sun 'n Fun 2026, The Old Fly Guy visits iFly Aviation near Chicago to learn how aspiring pilots are training for careers in aviation and the airlines. From modern glass-cockpit trainers equipped with G1000 avionics to structured Part 141 programs and flexible Part 61 training options, this episode explores the many pathways available to today's student pilots.

We discuss training timelines, the commitment required to earn your certificates and ratings, and the realities of flight school costs in 2026. Whether you're a high school student dreaming of an airline career, a retiree looking to fulfill a lifelong goal, or someone wondering if flight training is still within reach, this conversation provides valuable insight into what it takes to earn your wings.

Learn about modern flight training, Cessna and Piper trainers, King Schools curriculum, aviation careers, and how the next generation of pilots is preparing for the future.

At Sun 'n Fun 2026, The Old Fly Guy sits down with Ray Fowler of CubCrafters to explore the world of Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft. Many pilots dream of owning a new airplane, but few realize they can actually become the builder of their own aircraft.

Ray explains how CubCrafters' amateur-build program works, what the FAA's 51% builder rule really means, and why Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft have become one of the fastest-growing segments of general aviation. The discussion covers costs, safety, customization options, certification requirements, and the unique advantages of building an airplane tailored to your own mission.

Whether you're a pilot, future aircraft owner, backcountry flying enthusiast, or simply curious about how airplanes are built, this conversation provides valuable insight into one of aviation's most exciting opportunities.

Against nearly impossible odds, Bill was given less than a week to live. Today, he's back in the Air Zoo restoration hangar doing what he loves.

In this inspiring episode of the Old Fly Guy Network, we sit down with Air Zoo restoration volunteer Bill to hear his extraordinary story of survival after a life-saving heart transplant.

After battling severe heart failure brought on by RSV, Bill's heart function dropped to just 8–10%, placing him in Stage IV congestive heart failure. At 69 years old—just months before reaching the transplant age limit—he became the first patient at the Meyer Heart Center to be supported by two Impella heart pumps while waiting for a donor heart.

Against overwhelming odds, Bill received a new heart, underwent a record-setting transplant surgery, and made one of the fastest recoveries the hospital had ever seen.

But this story is about much more than medicine.

It's about faith, determination, the power of prayer, and discovering a renewed purpose in life. Bill shares how his passion for restoring historic aircraft at the Air Zoo helped give him something worth fighting for—and why he believes he survived for a reason.

Today, Bill continues to volunteer alongside the Air Zoo restoration team, preserving aviation history while inspiring everyone he meets with his remarkable journey.

If you've ever wondered how hope, faith, and purpose can change a life, this is a story you won't forget.

Step inside the restoration hangar at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum and meet the volunteers who are preserving aviation history one part, one rivet, and one friendship at a time.

In this third episode of our Air Zoo Restoration Series, we explore the passion, patience, and dedication required to restore historic aircraft when original parts no longer exist. From 3D-printing components for a replica .50 caliber machine gun to recreating hidden aircraft systems that few people will ever see, the team shares why authenticity matters and what drives them to spend thousands of hours preserving the past.

Learn how restoration projects can consume more than 50,000 man-hours, why even unseen details must be historically accurate, and how a community of volunteers has become a family united by aviation, craftsmanship, and service.

More than a restoration story, this episode is about preserving history, inspiring future generations, and proving that the most important part of any aircraft project isn't the airplane—it's the people behind it.

The Air Zoo restoration team continues to demonstrate the principles of C.A.T.S. — Culture, Attitude, Teamwork, and Service while bringing some of aviation's most important artifacts back to life.

Go deeper inside the restoration hangar at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum as the volunteer restoration team tackles some of the most difficult challenges in bringing a legendary Douglas SBD Dauntless back to life.

In this episode, the team reveals the incredible craftsmanship, engineering, and problem-solving required to restore aircraft when original parts no longer exist. From custom-fabricated .50 caliber machine guns and functional 3D printed hydraulic pumps to painstaking engine restoration and historically accurate markings, every detail matters.

Using modern tools like 3D scanning and printing alongside traditional machining and hand-built craftsmanship, these retired professionals combine decades of experience with a shared passion for preserving aviation history.

But this story is about more than aircraft.

It’s about teamwork, mentorship, and the culture that drives the restoration process forward every day. Built on the foundation of C.A.T.S. — Culture, Attitude, Teamwork, and Service — this team demonstrates what happens when skill, dedication, and history come together inside the hangar.

Step inside the restoration hangar at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum and meet the people bringing aviation history back to life.

In this first episode of our restoration series, we introduce three passionate volunteers working on the legendary Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless—an aircraft that played a critical role in World War II and is now being carefully restored piece by piece.
From custom-built tools and hand-formed aluminum skins to decades of experience in machining and aviation maintenance, this team represents the heart of what makes restoration possible. Their work isn’t just technical—it’s deeply personal.
Built on a foundation of Culture, Attitude, Teamwork, and Service (C.A.T.S.), these volunteers are preserving more than an aircraft—they’re preserving the stories, craftsmanship, and legacy of those who came before.

This is just the beginning.
In the next episodes, we’ll go deeper into the skills, stories, and dedication behind one of the most remarkable aircraft restoration efforts in the country