Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction
For the first time, the SR-71 Flight Manual is available online. The manual was declassified several years ago
and has now been made free to the public. When a document becomes declassified, it also becomes public
domain. No copyright is asserted for the content that is presented on this web site from the SR-71 Flight Manual.
This resource is to educate the public about the operation of the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft. All sections of
the manual have been included in the web-based reproduction except for the temporary exclusion of Appendix 1
and the Alphabetical Index. This section of this site is best viewed at 1280 x 1024 resolution. A resolution of 1024
x 768 is recommended and a minimum resolution of 800 x 600 is required. Also, it has been found that running
this resource in full-screen mode in Microsoft Internet Explorer also enhances the viewing experience.
The Table of Contents below is as how it appears in the actual flight manual, but has been presented in web
form for easy access to the manual's content. The manual may be read continuously by clicking on the 'Next' or
'Back' links found on each page.
A few pages are still missing from the manual that this was scanned from and new pages are being sent in on a
regular basis. Be sure to check back for updates and new additions. This manual is ISSUE E, CHANGE 2 and is
1052 pages (742 pages are currently available on this web site).
Foreword (ii)
Alphabetical Index
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 18 July 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual
Table of Contents
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 16 July 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual
Table of Contents
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 16 July 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction 2-2
Crew Coordination 2-2
Preparation for Flight 2-2
Preflight Check 2-5
Before Entering Cockpit 2-5
Front Cockpit Interior Check 2-5
Trainer Aft Cockpit Interior Check 2-9
Aft Cockpit Interior Check-SR-71A 2-12
Aft Cockpit Check (Solo Flight) 2-14
Starting Engines 2-19
Clearing Engines 2-23
Aft Towing - Engine Operation 2-23
Before Taxiing 2-24
Taxiing 2-29
Before Takeoff 2-29
Takeoff 2-34
After Takeoff 2-37
Climb 2-38
Acceleration 2-39
Cruise 2-45
Prior to Descent 2-50
Descent 2-51
Air Refueling 2-54
Fuel Dumping 2-65
Before Penetration 2-66
Penetration 2-66
Before Landing 2-66
Normal Landing 2-69
Wet/Slippery Runway Landings 2-72
Maximum Performance Landing 2-72
Go Around 2-74
Touch and Go Landing 2-74
After Landing 2-74
Engine Shutdown 2-75
Survival Quick Launch 2-81
Quick Launch Setup 2-81
Quick Launch Start 2-82
Quick Launch Taxi 2-83
Quick Launch Takeoff 2-83
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 16 July 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction 3-6
Multiple Emergencies 3-6
Assumptions 3-6
Symbol Coding 3-6
Definitions of Landing Situations 3-6
Use of Checklists 3-6
Ground Operation 3-8
Emergency Egress 3-8
Engine Fire 3-9
Brake or Steering Failure 3-9
Anti-skid Out 3-10
Tire Failure 3-10
Takeoff Emergencies 3-12
Propulsion System 3-12
Engine Failure 3-12
Afterburner Failure 3-13
Afterburner Nozzle Failure 3-13
Fire 3-13
Abort 3-13
Barrier Engagement 3-16
Tire Failure 3-17
Emergency Gear Retraction 3-18
In-Flight Emergencies 3-19
Bailout 3-19
Forced Landing or Ditching 3-30
Smoke or Fumes 3-30
Air Conditioning System Smoke 3-30
Electrical Fire 3-30
Emergency Descent 3-30
Fuel Dumping (refer to Sec II)
Propulsion System Emergencies 3-33
Inlet Unstart 3-33
Inlet Malfunction 3-38
Manual Inlet Operation 3-40
Compressor Stall 3-43
Subsonic Compressor Stalls 3-45
Compressor Stall in Descent 3-47
Engine Flameout 3-48
Double Engine Flameout 3-48
Airstart 3-50
Engine Fire & Shutdown 3-51
Single Engine Flight Characteristics 3-55
Single Engine Air Refueling 3-56
Afterburner Flameout 3-57
Afterburner Cutoff Failure 3-59
Afterburner Nozzle Failure 3-59
Fuel Hydraulic System Malfunction 3-62
Abnormal EGT Indications 3-65
Accessory Drive System (ADS) Failure 3-77
Oil Pressure Abnormal 3-81
Oil Quantity Low 3-81
Fuel Control Failure 3-81
Engine Instability During Decel/Descent 3-81
Other Aircraft System Emergencies 3-83
Fuel System 3-83
Fuel Quantity Low 3-83
Fuel Pressure Low 3-83
Tank Pressurization Failure 3-84
Fuel System Management with Engine Shutdown 3-85
Sequencing Incorrect 3-85
Partial Loss of Boost Pumps 3-85
Complete Loss of Boost Pumps 3-86
Electrical System 3-88
Single Generator Failure 3-88
Double Generator Failure 3-89
Bus Tie Open 3-94
Transformer-Rectifier Failure 3-94
Emergency AC Bus Loss 3-94
Hydraulic System 3-95
Abnormal Hydraulic Pressure 3-95
L & R Systems 3-95
A & B Systems 3-97
Flight Control System 3-98
Aircraft Control Abnormal 3-98
Trim Failures 3-98
Stability Augmentation System 3-99
SAS Emergency Operation 3-100
Pitch or Yaw Axis First Failure 3-103
Pitch or Yaw Axis Second Failure 3-105
Roll Axis Failure 3-107
Analytical Redundancy Failure 3-108
Autopilot Failure 3-109
DAFICS Computer Failures 3-109
Single Computer Out 3-109
A & B Computers Out 3-110
(A & M) or (B & M) Computers Out 3-111
A, B and M Computers Out 3-112
APW and High Alpha Warning 3-114
Two PTA Channels Out 3-116
Air Data Malfunction 3-116
Pitot Static System 3-117
Navigation Systems 3-117
ANS Malfunction 3-117
INS Malfunction 3-117
Environmental Control System 3-118
L or R Air System Out 3-118
Cockpit Overtemperature 3-118
Cockpit Too Cold 3-119
Cockpit Depressurization 3-119
Cockpit Fog (See Landing Emergencies 3-134)
Suit Overtemperature 3-120
E or R Bay Overheat 3-120
Life Support Systems 3-120
Breathing or Suit Pressurization Difficulty 3-121
Use of Standby Oxygen 3-121
Use of Emergency Oxygen 3-122
Contaminated Oxygen 3-122
Use of Pressure Suit Air w/o Oxygen 3-122
Loss of Visor Heat 3-123
Loss of Suit Vent Air 3-123
Drag Chute System 3-123
Landing Emergencies 3-125
Single Eng. Penetration & Landing 3-125
Simulated Single Engine Landing 3-127
Single Engine Go-Around 3-127
Landing Gear System Emergencies 3-127
Gear Unsafe Indication 3-127
Gear Emergency Extension 3-128
Partial Gear Landing 3-129
Main Gear Flat Tire Landing 3-130
Blown Main Gear Tire After Landing 3-131
Nose Gear Flat Tire Landing 3-131
Landing Without Nose Wheel Steering 3-132
Flat Strut Landing 3-132
Gear Down Air Refueling 3-134
Cockpit Fog 3-134
Damaged Refueling Receptacle 3-135
Warning Lights System 3-135
Tactical Limits 3-135
Emergency Entrance 3-135
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 16 July 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual
Table of Contents
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 17 July 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction 5-2
Minimum crew 5-2
Instrument Markings 5-2
Fuel 5-2
Emergency Fuels 5-2
Engine Operating Limits 5-2
In-Flight Shutdown 5-2
Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) 5-2
Compressor Inlet Temperature (CIT) 5-5
Engine Speed (RPM) 5-5
Oil Pressure 5-5
Exhaust Nozzle Position (ENP) 5-5
Maximum Weight 5-5
Load Factor Limits 5-8
Flight Envelope Limits 5-8
Maximum Mach 5-8
Airspeed 5-8
Angle of Attack 5-10
Altitude 5-10
High Altitude Turns 5-10
Prohibited Maneuvers 5-10
Simulated Single-Engine Flight 5-10
Rate of Descent 5-16
Center of Gravity 5-16
Pitch Trim Indications While Subsonic 5-16
Pitch Trim Indications While Supersonic 5-17
Aircraft Systems Limitations 5-17
Surface Limiter 5-17
Stability Augmentation System 5-17
Autopilot 5-17
Fuel System 5-17
Anticollision Lights 5-17
Canopy 5-17
Landing Gear 5-18
Tires 5-18
Brakes 5-23
Drag Chute 5-23
Flight Without Pressure Suit 5-23
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 16 July 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction 6-2
Configuration Effects 6-2
Angle of Attack 6-3
High Angle of Attack Conditions 6-3
Spins 6-7
Stability Characteristics 6-7
Effects of CG Location 6-7
Normal Operating Characteristics 6-12
Takeoff 6-12
Climb 6-12
Cruise 6-13
Maximum Range (Optimum) Cruise Profile 6-15
Normal and Steep Turns 6-15
Maximum Afterburner Ceiling Profile 6-19
Maximum Altitude Cruise Profile 6-19
High Altitude Turn Technique 6-22
Descent 6-23
Air Refueling 6-23
Approach and Landing 6-24
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 16 July 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual
Table of Contents
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 16 July 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual
The SR-71A Flight Manual that was used to create this online reproduction is a first-hand copy of an actual
ISSUE E, CHANGE 2 Flight Manual. Since it is in binder form, it is easily scanned; each page may be removed
individually. This copy was printed on standard 8.5" by 11" printer and photocopier paper. The online edition was
scanned at 1000 x 1400 resolution.
Copyright © 2001 SR-71 Online - www.sr-71.org Contact Author: Paul R. Kucher Updated: 22 June 2001
SR-71 Flight Manual