We love the Blackbird!
Developed by Habu super-fans for Habu super-fans, this simulation recreates the SR-71A with all its quirks and idiosyncrasies both obscure & well-known. From paper-roll navigation to unstarts, whether you're a seasoned aviation enthusiast or a curious newcomer, you’ll appreciate the attention to detail, fluid controls, flight dynamics, and fabulous modelling that let you experience the aircraft just like pilot Major Brian Shul and RSO Colonel Walter Watson did - on the razor’s edge of the possible, during the hottest years of the Cold War.
Skunkworks' incredible achievement
More than just a flight simulator, this is a journey into the spirit of innovation. You’ll soar above the stratosphere at Mach speeds, watching continents slip beneath your wings as you master one of humanity’s greatest aerospace achievements. If you’ve ever dreamed of piloting a legend, this is your chance to live the Blackbird story — no runway required.
Brian & Walt
We were honoured to be able to sit down with both Walt and Brian to record and discuss not only some of the most famous SR-71 anecdotes ever told, but also to record several hours of voice communications between a real pilot and his RSO, which we've then used in the simulator for all phases of flight. Our discussions with these two distinguished gentlemen helped to shape our vision of the SR-71 Blackbird - we hope we've done them proud.
A pilot's aircraft
NOTE: no simulation of the rear seat is available, nor planned.
Special Features
- Meticulous detailed reproduction of the exterior and interior of the SR-71A.
- All historical liveries (plus a few extra!) are included in the package.
- Authentic and complete simulation of all the SR-71's unique systems and features.
- Full simulation of air-to-air refuelling from an accurate KC-135T tanker aircraft.
- Four realism modes: beginner, trainee, pilot, and instructor.
- Optional failure system involving more than 150 points that can fail.
- Usage of authentic and exclusive voice recordings of communications between Brian Shul and Walt Watson in all flight phases.
Early Access – what to expect
Regular updates are planned in the lead-up to the full release.
At this point, it’s not perfect, and yes, we are asking you, fellow pilots and avgeeks, to test it with us.
That, together with the current economic climate, is why we have set an initial low price of $34.99. Final release price is slated to be $59.99.
Enjoy your Blackbird
The SR-71 is a unique aircraft and we've done our best to model it as accurately as possible. It isn't a super speed jet fighter and it isn't an airliner -- it has its own unique and narrow flight model, so to get the best out of it please read the release notes and the flight manual, and check out some of our online tutorials (below).
Remember, greater difficulty only means a greater sense of accomplishment on success.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the Robins AFB Museum of Aviation for their generosity in allowing us full access to their SR-71A including the cockpits. Without this, it would have been folly to try to make this. Thank you again.
Thank you to Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas, Love Field for access to the only SR-71 Simulator in the world. We got to fly this and man, was it crazy hard!
Thank you to Brian Shul and Walt Watson without whom our knowledge of the SR and its various systems and foibles wouldn’t have been even close.
Finally, thank you to Diego Menendez for having arranged so much, oh so many years ago.
