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The Online Blackbird Museum
Previous Blackbird Events
Please send submissions for the Events Page to webmaster@habu.org
Evergreen Aviation Museum, June 13-14, 2008: - submitted by Rich Graham
Blackbird crews will be participating in a 2-day panel discussion at the Evergreen Aviation Museum. Contact the museum for more information.
Museum of Flight, September 14-15, 2007: - submitted by Rich Graham
There will be a 2-day SR-71 symposium at the Museum of Flight near Seattle, Washington. Blackbird pilots, RSOs, and support crews will be participating in panel discussions. More details to follow.
Blackbird Association Reunion, June 21-24, 2007: - submitted by Rich Graham
The next reunion of the Blackbird Association will be June 21-24, 2007, at the Nugget Hotel in Reno, NV. The Blackbird Association reunion is for members (and their guests) only.
Reconnaissance Symposium, Oct. 6-7, 2006: - submitted by Paul Suhler
The Kalamazoo Air Zoo will be hosting a 2-day symposium on October 6-7, 2006. Speakers include several blackbird crews, as well as U-2 pilots, support technicians and recon experts. Click here for more details.
Evergreen Aviation Museum, June 17-18, 2006: - submitted by Rich Graham
As many as 10 SR-71 crews will be participating in a 2-day panel discussion at the Evergreen Aviation Museum. Contact the museum for more information.
Virginia Aviation Museum, October 1, 2005: - submitted by David Hahn
SR-71 Forum, Saturday, October 1, 2005 at the Virginia Aviation Museum, Richmond International Airport. As many as 5 blackbird crewmembers are expected for an open panel discussion of the SR-71. Event included with regular museum admission. 9:30am-5pm. vam.smv.org or 804-236-3622 for more details..
Museum of Flight, August 5-7, 2005: - submitted by Dennis McLean
SR-71 pilot Brian Shul will be at the Museum of Flight on August 5, 6 & 7 at the William M. Allen Theater at 2:00 PM. Admission to the museum is $14.00 for adults andthere are other rates available for groups and children - contact the museum for addition details.
Blackbird Reunion, June 9th-12th, 2005: - submitted by Rich Graham
The 2005 Blackbird Reunion was held in Reno, Nevada at the Nugget Hotel on June 9-12, 2005. The reunion is for Blackbird Association members only.
Blackbird Airpark, May 15, 2004: - submitted by Doug Nelson
On Saturday, May 15, 2004, there will be a celebration commemorating the 40th anniversary of the first flight of the SR-71. Bob Gilliland, pilot of the first SR-71 flight, will be in attendance with Jim Eastham (first YF-12 pilot). Click here for full details.
J58 Eagles Reunion, March 25-27, 2004: - submitted by William Gent
There will be a once-in-a-lifetime reunion of Pratt & Whitney J58 people in Studio City, California, with several blackbird crews in attendance including Jim Eastham and Bob Gilliland. Click here for details and directions.
Virginia Aviation Museum, October 4, 2003: - submitted by Kim Leigh
SR-71 Forum, Saturday, October 4, 2003 at the Virginia Aviation Museum, Richmond International Airport. Join panel discussions. Shake hands with crew and support personnel. Take a guided tour of #7968. Event included with regular museum admission. 9:30am-5pm. vam.smv.org or 804-236-3622 or kleigh@smv.org.
Museum of Flight, September 13, 2003:
- submitted by Mike Clennon
The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, will be hosting "The Blackbird Forum" on Saturday, September 13, 2003. SR-71 crews will be on hand with firsthand recollections of blackbird operations.
Blackbird Airpark, August 9, 2003: - submitted by Doug Nelson
On Saturday, August 9, 2003, there will be a celebration commemorating the 40th anniversary of the first flight of the YF-12. Jim Eastham, pilot of that historic flight, will be in attendance. Click here for full details.
FYI: If you were unable to attend the event, you can order memorabilia directly from the museum by clicking on this link: http://www.edwardsflighttest.com
Iowa Aviation Museum, May 31, 2003: - submitted by Louise Schalk
Lou Schalk, first blackbird pilot ever, will be inducted into the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 31, 2003. He was nominated for this award in January of 2003. His widow, Louise Schalk, and his sister will be attending the event in Greensfield, Iowa to accept the award on his behalf. For more information, contact the museum at 641-343-7184.
Southern Museum of Flight, November 14, 2002:
Bob Gilliland, first SR-71 pilot, will be the featured speaker on November 14th, 2002 at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham, AL. This will be a fairly formal dinner event with only about 400 tickets available. Tickets will be $25 and $50 VIP.
March Field, November 9-10, 2002: - submitted by Paul Trainor
March Field will be having Open Aircraft Days on Saturday and Sunday, November 9-10. About three times per year the museum opens up aircraft that normally can only be viewed from outside of the aircraft. Visitors can walk inside cargo aircraft or look down into the raised canopy of fighter aircraft. This is one of the rare opportunities for the general public to see a fully-instrumented SR-71 cockpit. Call 909-697-6606 for more information.
Virginia Aviation Museum, October 5, 2002:
The Virginia Aviation Museum will be having their third annual SR-71 forum on Saturday, October 5. In addition to panel presentations by SR-71 crews, their will be open cockpit viewing, weather permitting.
Wright-Patterson AFB, September 13-14, 2002:
As many as 30 blackbird crews, including pilots, RSOs, engineers and crew chiefs, will be participating in an SR-71 symposium consisting of 8 separate panel presentations. Click here for more info.
March Field, May 25, 2002: - submitted by Paul Trainor
March Field will be having an Open Cockpit Day on Saturday, May 25. This is an opportunity to see inside the cockpit of an SR-71. Call 909-697-6606 for more information.
Blackbird Airpark, April 27, 2002: - submitted by Doug Nelson
On Saturday, April 27, 2002, there will be a celebration commemorating the 40th anniversary of the first flight of the A-12. Lou Schalk, the first blackbird pilot, will be in attendance with Jim Eastham (first YF-12 pilot) and Bob Gilliland (first SR-71 pilot). Click here for full details.
March Field Museum, November 10-11, 2001: - submitted by Dan Parker
March Field will be having an Open Cockpit Weekend on November 10 and 11. This will be the last such event at the museum this year. Click here or call 909-697-6606 for more information.
- click here for photos from the event courtesy of Dan Parker
Virginia Aviation Museum, October 6, 2001:
The Virginia Aviation Museum will be hosting their second annual SR-71 Forum on Saturday, October 6. Several habus are planning on attending, including Blackbird Rising co-author Donn Byrnes. Crews will answer questions about the blackbirds and be available to sign autographs.
- click here for photos from the event
Museum of Flight, September 15, 2001:
At least 5 habus are planning to appear at the SR-71 Forum at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington on Saturday, September 15. For more information, contact Craig O'Neill at coneill@museumofflight.org, or call 206-768-7150. Directions to the museum are available at http://www.museumofflight.org/visit/.
EAA OshKosh AirVenture, July 24-30, 2001: - submitted by Rich Graham
Rich Graham (author, retired SR-71 pilot and SR-71 squadron commander) will be speaking on Saturday, July 28, from 1:00 to 2:15pm, and Sunday, July 29, from 11:30am to 12:45pm, in Sporty's Pavillion #6 (click here for the full schedule). There will also be several thousand airplanes to look at - click here for details.
Imperial War Museum, Duxford, England, June 14, 2001:
The official dedication ceremony for #962's induction into the Duxford Imperial War Museum is scheduled for Thursday, June 14, 2001. VIPs from both the U.K. and the United States will be there; click here for the official Duxford web page.
- click here for photos from the event, courtesy of Stephen Walker
Virginia Aviation Museum, April 28, 2001:
For the 39th anniversary of the first flight of the A-12 blackbird, Lou Schalk,
first pilot of the A-12, will be making 2 presentations on these historic flights, complete with video of the event. The presentations are scheduled for 10:30am and 12:30pm, Saturday, April 28. Also on hand will be Hall of Famer Ken Hyde, who plans on firing up his replica Wright Bros. aircraft engine. Click here for more details.
- click here for photos from the event
Imperial War Museum, Duxford, England, April 11, 2001:
SR-71 #962 was unveiled to the public for the first time on April 11, 2001. There was a public photo shoot at 11:00am. Click here for the official press release.
- click here for photos from the event, courtesy of Ben Rogers
Pima Air and Space Museum, November 4-5, 2000: - submitted by Glenn Chapman
SR-71 # 61-7951 will be taken across the highway to Davis-Monthan AFB for Arizona Days on Saturday and Sunday, November 4 and 5.
Edwards AFB, October 21, 2000: - submitted by Kevin Helm
No blackbirds will be flying at Edwards this year, but they will be on static display at the Annual Edwards AFB Open House on Saturday, October 21. Several other Skunkworks vehicles will also be on static display, including the U-2 and ER-2, F-117A, and F-22, as well as the B-2.
Gilmer-Upshur County Airport, October 20, 2000: - submitted by Leland Haynes; updated by Steve Dean
On Friday, October 20, 2000, the late Col. Robert "Silver Fox" Stephens will
be honored by having the airport in his Texas hometown of Gilmer renamed for him. During the Yamboree on October 20, Gilmer-Upshur County Airport will
be renamed "Fox Stephens Field-Gilmer Municipal Airport." Pilots from the SR-71 and XB-70 programs are planning to attend, including Bob Gilliland (SR-71), Joe Cotton (XB-70), and Scott Crossfield (X-15). Also, expect to see F-117 and B-2 Fly-bys as part of the official programs, plus many Blackbird folks who worked with Stephens when he was SR-71 test director.
Click here for more details (courtesy of The Gilmer Mirror newspaper, reprinted by permission). More details also available at the Flight of the Phoenix Museum web site.
Virginia Aviaton Museum, October 14-15, 2000
On Saturday and Sunday, October 14-15, 2000, the Virginia Aviation Museum will be hosting "SR-71 Forum 2000: Spend a Day with Blackbird Crews." A total of 19 blackbird crews attended. The museum is located on the grounds of Richmond International Airport; click here for directions.
- click here for photos from the event
March Field Air Museum, August 6, 2000 - submitted by Paul Trainor
On Sunday, August 6, 2000, March Field Air Museum in Riverside, CA, will have an open cockpit display of their SR-71, which appears in the new movie "Space Cowboys." Click here for more details.
- click here for photos from the event
EAA OshKosh AirVenture, July 26-August 1, 2000: - submitted by Rich Graham
Rich Graham (author, retired SR-71 pilot and SR-71 squadron commander) will be speaking on Saturday, July 29, from 8:30 to 9:45, and Sunday, July 30, from 2:30 to 3:45 at the Eclipse Pavillion (click here for the full schedule). There will also be 11,000 airplanes to look at - click here for details.
Minnesota Air National Guard Museum, April 15-16, 2000: - submitted by Jim Goodall
On Saturday and Sunday, April 15-16, 2000, the Minnesota Air National Guard Museum is having an Open Cockpit weekend. The A-12 on display has a 100% real and complete cockpit. Click here for details and directions.
Pima Air and Space Museum, February 18-19, 2000: - submitted by Rich Graham
On Friday and Saturday, February 18-19, 2000, there will be a gathering of Blackbird crews to talk at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. 24 Blackbird crew members have committed to attending the event, including Rich Graham (author, retired SR-71 pilot and SR-71 squadron commander).
- click here for photos from the event
Blackbird Airpark, December 18, 1999: - submitted by Kevin Helm
On Saturday, December 18, 1999, Blackbird Airpark will host an event to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the first flights of both the SR-71
and the M/D-21. Jim Eastham (first person to fly the YF-12) and Bob Gilliland (first to fly the SR-71) will be there to sign autographs; Lou Schalk (first person to fly the A-12) might also be attending. There will also be opportunities to have your photograph taken while in the cockpit.
Click here for details.
Virginia Aviation Museum, Richmond International Airport, November 18, 1999: -submitted by Kim Toney
SR-71 pilot Col. Tom Alison (USAF-Ret.) will be making a presentation on his experiences flying the blackbird on Thursday, November 18 at 7pm.
- click here for photos from the event
USAF Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, November 17, 1999:
Retired SR-71 pilot and squadron commander MGen Patrick Halloran (USAF-Ret.) will present "Flying the Blackbirds" at 7:30pm on Wednesday, November 17 in
the USAF Museum's Carney Auditorium. There is no charge for admission. For more information, contact the USAF Museum Public Affairs Office at 937-255-4704, or 937-255-8046.
Virginia Aviation Museum, Richmond International Airport, October 30, 1999 - submitted by Walter Witschey
The ceremony for the Dedication/Unveiling of #968 at its new home, Virginia Aviation Museum, Richmond International Airport (easy access from I-64/I-95) will be held Saturday October 30, 1999, at 10:30 am. SR-71 pilots Tom Alison and Joe Kinego, and RSO Curt Osterheld will be attending. Click here for complete details; click here for directions.
- click here for photos from the event
Edwards AFB, October 9-10, 1999:
"Edwards Air Force Base - home of the Air Force Flight Test Center, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and the Air Force Research Laboratory - will host its annual Open House and Air Show [Saturday and Sunday] Oct. 9 and 10. The event will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights. This year's event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the renaming of Edwards Air Force Base and the 40th Anniversary of the first flight of the X-15.
A highlight of the open house and air show will be a scheduled appearance by several of the X-15 pilots.
Flying activities will also include performances in a variety of aircraft by test pilots from the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards and the first aerial display of America's newest fighter, the F-22 Raptor.
Many static displays will be on hand, including nearly every aircraft in the Air Force inventory, such as the B-2 Stealth Bomber and the F-117 Stealth Fighter.
There is no charge for admission or parking. All gates to the base will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., both days."
Click here for details and directions.
- click here for photos from the event courtesy of John Freedman
SAC Museum, October 1, 1999: - submitted by Rich Graham
On Friday, October 1, Rich Graham (author, retired SR-71 pilot and SR-71 squadron commander) and Bob Gilliland (Lockheed test pilot, first person to fly the SR-71) will be speaking at the SAC Museum in Omaha, Nebraska.
Hill AFB, September 25, 1999:
"The Museum is hosting a Gathering Of Blackbirds on [Saturday] September 25, 1999. At this date [May 1999] four SR-71 pilots have committed to attend. Col. James Sullivan, the pilot who set the speed record from New York to London, will be here. Others: Col. Jack Layton, Col. Rich Graham, and LtCol. Gil Bertelson. We expect several more, as well as Mr. Warren Gilmour, who worked with the Skunk Works for 18 years. We hope
to have several crew members as well. There will be opportunities for autographs, as well as presentations on the Aircraft."
- click here for photos from the event
Reno Air Races, September 16-19, 1999: - submitted by Brian Shul
Author and former SR-71 pilot Brian Shul will be the featured speaker for 2 nights at the Reno Air Races. He will be giving his slide show both Thursday and Friday nights, Sept. 16 and 17, at the E
l Dorado Hotel at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $20 and profits go to the Rotary Scholarship Fund. He will also have a booth at the air show all 4 days.
EAA OshKosh Air Show, July 28-August 3, 1999: - submitted by Rich Graham
Rich Graham (author, retired SR-71 pilot and SR-71 squadron commander) will be speaking on Friday, July 30, from 2:30 to 3:45, and Saturday, July 31, from 11:30 to 12:45 in the Forum tents (click here for the full schedule). There will also be 11,000 airplanes to look at - click here for details.
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