Richard Ira Bong was a U.S. Army fighter pilot in the Pacific during World War II, who became America's ace of aces, earning the Medal of Honor and numerous other decorations for his bravery and skill in combat. Born in Wisconsin in 1920, Bong enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941 and quickly distinguished himself as a talented pilot, shooting down 40 enemy aircraft and participating in numerous high-profile battles, including the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Despite being recommended for and receiving the Medal of Honor, Bong continued to fly combat missions, even after being promoted to major and put in charge of gunnery training. He died in a plane crash on August 6, 1945, at the age of 24, just days after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. [... more]

The SR-71 Blackbird, a top-secret spyplane designed by Lockheed's Skunk Works, was known for its stealth technology and ability to fly at supersonic speeds at high altitudes. In 1966, one of the planes disintegrated in mid-air, and the pilot, Bill Weaver, miraculously survived the accident, which remains one of the most incredible stories in aviation history. [... more]

Richard Ira Bong was a U.S. Army fighter pilot in the Pacific during World War II, who became America's Ace of Aces, earning the Medal of Honor and numerous other decorations for his bravery and skill in combat. Born in Wisconsin, Bong enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a hero in an era of heroes. He flew 146 combat missions and shot down 40 enemy planes, before his tragic death in a plane crash on August 6, 1945. [... more]

The SR-71 Blackbird, a high-altitude, stealth-capable spy plane, was designed by Lockheed's Skunk Works in the 1950s. On January 25, 1966, pilot Bill Weaver survived a catastrophic accident while flying the plane at 78,000 feet, where the aircraft disintegrated in mid-air. Weaver's remarkable story of survival is a testament to the plane's innovative design and the bravery of its pilots. [... more]

Major Brian Schuhl recounts his experience as an SR-71 Blackbird pilot, recalling a training mission where he and his crewmate Walter engaged in a speed check with air traffic control, showcasing the aircraft's incredible speed and agility. [... more]

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a high-altitude spy plane, disintegrated at 78,000 feet during a test flight in 1966. Pilot Bill Weaver survived the accident, but his crew member Jim Zwayer was killed. The plane's extreme speed and altitude made it nearly impossible to survive an ejection, but Weaver's flight suit and parachute system helped him land safely. [... more]

Major Brian Schuhl recounts his legendary story of flying the world's fastest jet, the SR-71 Blackbird, and performing a speed check over Los Angeles, where he and his crewmate Walter outdid a Navy F-18 and became a crew at that moment. [... more]

Bill Weaver, an experienced test pilot, survived a catastrophic accident in the SR-71 Blackbird, the world's fastest air-breathing manned jet aircraft, after it disintegrated at 78,000 feet. He was thrown clear of the plane and landed safely, despite the extreme conditions, thanks to his pressurized flight suit. Meanwhile, the story of Myasthenia Gravis, a rare condition, is explored through the experiences of real people living with it. [... more]

Major Brian Schuhl recounts his legendary story of flying the SR-71 Blackbird, the world's fastest jet, and doing a speed check over Los Angeles, showcasing the aircraft's incredible speed and agility. [... more]

Richard Ira Bong was a US Army fighter pilot who became America's Ace of Aces during World War II, earning the Medal of Honor and numerous other decorations for his bravery and skill in combat. [... more]

The SR-71 Blackbird, a supersonic spy plane, disintegrated at 78,000 feet, and pilot Bill Weaver miraculously survived the accident, despite being thrown clear of the aircraft without activating the ejection system. Weaver's flight suit held together, and he was rescued by a ranch owner and pilot, Albert Mitchell, who flew him to the nearest hospital. [... more]

Major Brian Schuhl recounts his experience as an SR-71 pilot, flying the world's fastest jet and performing a speed check over Los Angeles, where he and his crew were challenged by a Navy F-18 and a Cessna pilot, showcasing their skills and camaraderie in the high-stakes world of aviation. [... more]