Speed: The Life of a Test Pilot and Birth of an American Icon

by Bob Gilliland, Keith Dunnavant, Chesley B. Sullenberger III (Foreword)

On December 22, 1964, at a small, closely guarded airstrip in the desert town of Palmdale, California, Lockheed test pilot Bob Gilliland stepped into a strange-looking aircraft and roared into aviation history. Developed at the super-secret Skunk Works, the SR-71 Blackbird was a technological marvel. In fact, more than a half century later, the Mach 3–plus titanium wonder, designed by Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson, remains the world’s fastest jet. It took a test pilot with the right combination of intelligence, skill, and nerve to make the first flight of the SR-71, and the thirty-eight-year-old Gilliland had spent much of his life pushing the edge.   In Speed one of America’s greatest test pilots collaborates with acclaimed journalist Keith Dunnavant to tell his remarkable How he was pushed to excel by his demanding father. How a lucky envelope at the U.S. Naval Academy altered the trajectory of his life. How he talked his way into U.S. Air Force fighters at the dawn of the jet age, despite being told he was too tall. How he made the conscious decision to trade the security of the business world for the dangerous life of an experimental test pilot, including time at the clandestine base Area 51, working on the Central Intelligence Agency’s Oxcart program. The narrative focuses most intently on Gilliland’s years as the chief test pilot of the SR-71, as he played a leading role in the development of the entire fleet of spy planes while surviving several emergencies that very nearly ended in disaster. Waging the Cold War at 85,000 feet, the SR-71 became an unrivaled intelligence-gathering asset for the U.S. Air Force, invulnerable to enemy defenses for a quarter century. Gilliland’s work with the SR-71 defined him, especially after the Cold War, when many of the secrets began to be revealed and the plane emerged from the shadows—not just as a tangible museum artifact but as an icon that burrowed deep into the national consciousness. Like the Blackbird itself, Speed is a story animated by the power of ambition and risk-taking during the heady days of the American Century.               

Genres: Nonfiction, Aviation

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐
Robert J. "Bob" Gilliland, what a guy!! I've always wonder why anyone would do this for a living, becoming a test pilot. It's a dangerous job testing an unproven technology at high altitudes. Now that I've finished reading this fascinating book, it becomes clear test pilots share some unique characteristics; knowledgeable, quick thinking and decision making, resourceful, problem solver, and they're fearless.

Bob Gilliland was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1926. After graduating high school in 1944, he volunteered and joined the US Navy. Bob graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1949 and joined a new branch the United States Air Force, serving as a F-84 fighter pilot during the cold war in Germany and the Korean War.

Bob displayed a go-getter and work the problem attitude from early on. After he flunk the recruitment physical exam from low blood pressure he sought help. Through Bob's father, Frank and a physician and his wife, Bob was prescribed steak, eggs and beer. He passed the physical exam. Bob took the Naval Academy test and scored well, but was rejected from hadn't taken any chemistry. His path as Naval aviator was stalled, but he didn't want to wait and signed up as enlisted man. Somehow Bob managed to speak to Senator McKellar from Tennessee on the phone and he pulled couple strings so Bob was back in school taking chemistry at Vanderbilt. Bob trained on the b-25 bombers, but realized his need for control and zoom the sky. He knew he was suited for a single engine fighter plane, but with his height of 6'3", he was too tall for a small cockpit as was determined by the Pentagon. Once again, Bob was able to persuaded a Colonel at his house to have him switch with a colleague who wanted to fly a bomber. Later in his career, Bob used his influence to push for more cockpit room for someone his size in the SR-71.

Manufactured by Lockheed's top secret project division "Skunk Works" for US Air Force, the SR-71 Blackbird was designed by "Kelly" Johnson, an aeronautical and systems engineer. Bob Gilliland is the Chief Test Pilot of the SR-71, its maiden flight was on December 22, 1964. The flight lasted one hour at a speed of over 1,000 mph at 50,000 feet. To this day, over five decades later, the Blackbird still holds the record for manned jet aircraft for speed and ceiling. The Blackbirds were designed to cruise at Mach 3+, over 2,200 mph and at altitude up to 85,000 feet. It flew from Los Angeles to Washington, DC in 64 mins and 20 seconds.

Not only did Bob tested new jets, but he's also a flight instructor to many leading pilots from NATO countries. His role in developing the world's fastest plane was vital to US intelligence. Bob Gilliland's among other legends in aviation history and was recognized and honored for his contribution to the field many times. He was inducted to The National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2017.

This book has 19 illustrations of the Gilliland's family, Kelly Johnson, The Blackbird, and Bob with other legends in aerospace; Andrew Green, Eric Brown and Neil Armstrong.

Thank you to Potomac Books and Netgalley for this ARC.
Pub date June 1, 2021

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first person to ever pilot an SR-71, Speed is nonstop action. Test pilots have a reputation for being wild and reckless, refusing to be constrained by such pesky things as rules, and always willing to push the envelope in whatever context arises. And Bob Gilliland...fits that bill completely. Propelled by intellect, general aptitude, a fair amount of luck, and sheer stubbornness, Gilliland came to clock more hours at Mach 2+ (and 3+) than any other aviator.

Determined to become a Naval aviator, Gilliland took the entrance exam for the Naval Academy and scored high marks, only to be rejected for not having had chemistry in high school. During a very brief enlistment, he was able to draw enough attention to himself (and pull a few strings) to get permission to take a chemistry class at Vanderbilt that set him up to transition easily into the Academy in the fall. Once there, he continued to excel academically and yet almost failed to graduate, taking an almost sordid pride in the unique distinction of graduating with the most demerits in the history of the institution. While anyone else would have been dismissed after even one of his several escapades, his connections kept him on track for the career that was clearly his destiny.

When it came time to matriculate into his career, Gilliland faced a choice: the US Air Force had just recently been established, and graduates of the other service academies were given the option to commission into the Air Force instead until their academy could be fully established. There was so much interest among his class that a lottery had to be held. Despite offering his winning ticket to a classmate, luck shown brightly on them both, and off to the Air Force they went. Once there, Bob was told he was too tall to be a fighter pilot; men of his size simply could not be accommodated in the small cockpits of the fastest and most agile planes. Relegated to the world of bombers, Bob tried to keep his spirits up, but he knew he belonged in jets. Managing to leverage his connection to an O-6 to get his way once again, Bob's career survived yet another threat.

Years later, he was approached for a very secretive project, one that required his solid commitment before he could learn any details about it. After due consideration, Gilliland leapt at the opportunity to join a colleague he fully trusted at what he would later learn was Skunk Works--the division best known for developing the famed SR-71. And indeed, it was the SR-71 that took Gilliland's career to whole new heights and speeds.

Lest anyone forget, being a test pilot is extraordinarily dangerous, and some of the near misses described in this book are purely terrifying. It is a true testament to Gilliland's extraordinary skill--and again, his tremendous luck--that he was able to accomplish what he did.

Overall, a fast-paced and action-packed short read. Definitely recommend to any avgeeks and adrenaline junkies out there. My deep appreciation to Potomac Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for the review.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a ride of a book! This was a truly inspirational novel about a true American aviator. I could not put this book down. The story was compelling and full of action and first hand insights from various participants. A great aviation story and a certain must read!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[theodore kroupis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on a great pilot and a magnificent plane

I enjoy biographies that present the whole life of a person not just a segment, this was a book that covered all aspects. It provides a test pilot insight to the SR71 which of course to this day is a wonder. Don't miss reading this aviation history legend

[Kevin Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into an amazing career

Both the personal story and the technical side of the test pilot saga are covered exceedingly well. It's a great read. Highly recommended.