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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.
How to Use this Resource
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.
Missing Pages Report
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).
1-28A, 1-28B, 1-174, 1-175: Lost or missing
4-150 through 4-160: Still classified
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Table of Contents
The Aircraft
1-4
Fuel
1-4
1-4
Throttles
1-9
1-9
1-13
1-13
1-14
Inlet Parameters
1-17
1-18
Engine Bleeds
1-19
1-19
1-21
1-21
1-22
External Starter
1-22
1-22
1-31
Spikes
1-31
Forward Bypass
1-31
Aft Bypass
1-35
1-39
Automatic Restart
1-41
1-43
1-47
Fuel System
1-47
Fuel Tanks
1-50
1-50
Boost Pumps
1-54
Transfer System
1-55
Tank Pressurization
1-55
1-58
1-60
1-61
Electrical System
1-67
Batteries
1-67
Emergency AC
1-68
External Power
1-68
Circuit Speakers
1-71
1-71
Hydraulic System
1-86
1-89
1-90
1-91
1-92
1-93
1-94
Elevon Control
1-96
Rudder Control
1-100
Manual Trim
1-100
Surface Limiter
1-102
DAFICS
1-102
Computer BIT
1-103
1-103
SAS
1-104
SAS Logic
1-113
Autopilot
1-114
1-126
1-126
1-127
APW Operation
1-128
1-133
1-135
1-135
TDI
1-135
Airspeed-Mach Meter
1-135
Altimeter
1-136
AVSI
1-136
AOA
1-136
ADI
1-137
PVD
1-138
1-140
1-141
HSI
1-141
BDHI
1-144
Attitude Indicator-RSO
1-144
Accelerometer
1-144
Magnetic Compass
1-144
1-145
Interphone System
1-145
Normal Operation
1-147
1-147
1-150
1-151
1-151
Distance Indicator
1-152
UHF Antennas
1-152
UHF Operation
1-152
1-159
1-159
VHF Operation
1-161
HF Radio, 618T
1-161
HF Radio, AN/ARC-190(V)
1-162
1-165
1-165
Marker Beacon
1-166
IFF Transponder
1-167
1-167
1-169
1-170
G Band Beacon
1-171
I Band Beacon
1-171
TACAN System
1-171
1-172
1-174
TACAN Operation*
1-174
Windshield*
1-175
Deicing System*
1-175
Rain-Removal System*
1-175
1-175
Rear-View Periscope
1-179
Map Projectors
1-179
1-179
1-181
Lighting Equipment
1-183
Exterior Lighting
1-183
1-184
1-185
1-185
Pressurization Schedules
1-186
Controls
1-187
1-194
Oxygen System
1-194
Emergency Oxygen
1-195
Full-Pressure Suit
1-197
Torso Harness
1-198
Oxygen Mask
1-198
1-199
Ejection Seat
1-199
1-203
1-204
1-204
1-206
1-206
1-207
Miscellaneous Equipment
1-208
Trainer Aircraft
1A-1
* Page Missing or Lost
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Table of Contents
The SR-71B Aircraft
1A-3
1A-3
1A-3
1A-11
1A-12
Electrical System
1A-13
1A-13
1A-16
1A-16
1A-16
1A-17
1A-17
DAFICS
1A-18
Preflight BIT
1A-18
1A-18
1A-18
1A-19
Flight Instruments
1A-19
HSI
1A-19
1A-19
Emergency ICS
1A-19
Windshield
1A-20
Canopies
1A-20
Lighting Equipment
1A-20
1A-21
1A-21
1A-22
1A-23
1A-23
Sensor Equipment
1A-23
Mission Recorder
1A-23
1A-23
1A-23
Miscellaneous Equipment
1A-24
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Table of Contents
Introduction
2-2
Crew Coordination
2-2
2-2
Preflight Check
2-5
2-5
2-5
2-9
2-12
2-14
Starting Engines
2-19
Clearing Engines
2-23
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
2-72
2-72
Go Around
2-74
2-74
After Landing
2-74
Engine Shutdown
2-75
2-81
2-81
2-82
2-83
2-83
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Table of Contents
Introduction
3-6
Multiple Emergencies
3-6
Assumptions
3-6
Symbol Coding
3-6
3-6
Use of Checklists
3-6
Ground Operation
3-8
Emergency Egress
3-8
Engine Fire
3-9
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
3-13
Fire
3-13
Abort
3-13
Barrier Engagement
3-16
Tire Failure
3-17
3-18
In-Flight Emergencies
3-19
Bailout
3-19
3-30
Smoke or Fumes
3-30
3-30
Electrical Fire
3-30
Emergency Descent
3-30
3-33
Inlet Unstart
3-33
Inlet Malfunction
3-38
3-40
Compressor Stall
3-43
3-45
3-47
Engine Flameout
3-48
3-48
Airstart
3-50
3-51
3-55
3-56
Afterburner Flameout
3-57
3-59
3-59
3-62
3-65
3-77
3-81
3-81
3-81
3-81
3-83
Fuel System
3-83
3-83
3-83
3-84
3-85
Sequencing Incorrect
3-85
3-85
3-86
Electrical System
3-88
3-88
3-89
3-94
Transformer-Rectifier Failure
3-94
3-94
Hydraulic System
3-95
3-95
L & R Systems
3-95
A & B Systems
3-97
3-98
3-98
Trim Failures
3-98
3-99
3-100
3-103
3-105
3-107
3-108
Autopilot Failure
3-109
3-109
3-109
3-110
3-111
3-112
3-114
3-116
3-116
3-117
Navigation Systems
3-117
ANS Malfunction
3-117
INS Malfunction
3-117
3-118
3-118
Cockpit Overtemperature
3-118
3-119
Cockpit Depressurization
3-119
3-120
E or R Bay Overheat
3-120
3-120
3-121
3-121
3-122
Contaminated Oxygen
3-122
3-122
3-123
3-123
3-123
Landing Emergencies
3-125
3-125
3-127
3-127
3-127
3-127
3-128
3-129
3-130
3-131
3-131
3-132
3-132
3-134
Cockpit Fog
3-134
3-135
3-135
Tactical Limits
3-135
Emergency Entrance
3-135
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Table of Contents
Astroinertial Navigation System - Tape 12
4-3
System Interfaces
4-3
Modes of Operation
4-3
System Errors
4-5
System Components
4-5
4-6
Computer Program
4-12
4-18
Mission Modification
4-25
Operation
4-30
Normal Procedures
4-38
Ground Alignment
4-38
4-40
4-40
Cold Airstart
4-41
Hot Airstart
4-44
4-45
4-46
4-47
Fill Wind
4-47
4-47
Fill Day
4-48
4-48
Heading Update
4-48
4-49
4-49
4-50
4-50
4-51
4-52
4-52
4-53
Direct Steer
4-53
Skip to DP
4-54
4-54
Add Anytime FP
4-54
4-55
Normal Display
4-56
4-56
4-56
4-57
Display Heading
4-58
4-58
Present Display
4-58
4-59
Malfunction Procedures
4-59
4-68
INS Operation
4-69
4-70
INS Procedures
4-73
Sensor Systems
4-79
4-81
4-81
4-85
4-85
4-86
4-86
4-89
4-89
RCD
4-90
4-93
4-95
4-97
4-99
EIP System
4-99
Digital Recorder
4-100
4-100
EIP Procedures
4-101
4-101
V/H Procedures
4-104
Optical Viewsight
4-105
4-105
Viewsight Procedures
4-108
Video Viewsight
4-109
Viewsight Controls
4-109
Viewsight Displays
4-110
Viewsight Procedures
4-111
4-115
4-117
4-118
4-119
Control Panel
4-119
Warning Panel
4-123
A2 System
4-123
C2 System
4-129
H System
4-132
M System
4-146
Interface/Reliability Checks
4-149
4-151
4-154
4-155
Operating Procedures*
4-158
Auto*
4-158
Manual*
4-159
Malfunction Procedures*
4-159
4-159
Altitude Update*
4-160
Spotlight Repositioning*
4-160
4-161
System Interfaces
4-161
Modes of Operation
4-161
System Errors
4-163
System Components
4-163
4-164
Computer Program
4-171
4-177
Mission Modification
4-183
Operation
4-190
Normal Procedures
4-196
Ground Alignment
4-196
4-198
4-198
Cold Airstart
4-199
Hot Airstart
4-202
4-203
4-204
4-205
Fill Wind
4-205
4-205
Fill Day
4-206
4-206
Heading Update
4-206
4-206
4-207
4-207
4-207
4-208
4-208
4-210
4-211
4-211
Direct Steer
4-212
Skip to DP
4-212
4-212
Add Anytime FP
4-212
4-213
Replace ASARS FP
4-214
4-214
Normal Display
4-215
4-215
4-216
4-217
Display Heading
4-217
4-217
Present Display
4-218
4-218
Malfunction Procedures
4-219
* Page Missing or Lost
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Table of Contents
Introduction
5-2
Minimum crew
5-2
Instrument Markings
5-2
Fuel
5-2
Emergency Fuels
5-2
5-2
In-Flight Shutdown
5-2
5-2
5-5
5-5
Oil Pressure
5-5
5-5
Maximum Weight
5-5
5-8
5-8
Maximum Mach
5-8
Airspeed
5-8
Angle of Attack
5-10
Altitude
5-10
5-10
Prohibited Maneuvers
5-10
5-10
Rate of Descent
5-16
Center of Gravity
5-16
5-16
5-17
5-17
Surface Limiter
5-17
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
5-23
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Table of Contents
Introduction
6-2
Configuration Effects
6-2
Angle of Attack
6-3
6-3
Spins
6-7
Stability Characteristics
6-7
Effects of CG Location
6-7
6-12
Takeoff
6-12
Climb
6-12
Cruise
6-13
6-15
6-15
6-19
6-19
6-22
Descent
6-23
Air Refueling
6-23
6-24
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Table of Contents
Instrument Flight Procedures
7-2
Spatial Disorientation
7-2
Pitot-Static Systems
7-2
7-2
7-2
Steep Turns
7-2
Holding
7-2
Jet Penetration
7-2
Instrument Approaches
7-2
7-5
Single-Engine Operation
7-5
7-5
Windshield Icing
7-5
Visibility In Rain
7-5
7-6
7-8
Operation in Turbulence
7-8
7-8
7-8
7-8
Night Flying
7-8
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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.
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