July 11--Two men will be at the Museum of Aviation later this month to visit the plane they used to set the world speed record for jet aircraft 40 years ago.
The public is invited to come see the two men reunited with the SR-71 Blackbird they flew on the record-setting mission. The event, billed as Blackbird Day, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 30 at the Century of Flight Hangar, according to a release.
Retired Maj. Gen. Eldon "Al" Joerz, the pilot who set the record, will hold a moderated discussion with retired Lt. Col. George "GT" Morgan, his reconnaissance systems officer on the mission. They set the record, which still stands today, on July 28, 1976, with a speed of 2,193 miles per hour.
The event will include two meet-and-greet sessions, an SR-71 make-and-take model contest for an extra fee, a Blackbird veterans panel including other pilots and crew members, and food truck vendors for lunch.
"This is an amazing opportunity to meet the men who set the world absolute speed record as they are reunited with their SR-71 after 40 years," said Mike Rowland, the museum curator.
For more information on Blackbird Day, go to the Museum's web site at www.museumofaviation.org or call 478-923-6600.
Copyright 2016 - The Macon Telegraph
