Experience the Legacy of the World’s Fastest Aircraft
For three unforgettable days, the Museum of Aviation will celebrate one of the most legendary aircraft ever built: the SR-71 Blackbird. Join aviation enthusiasts, veterans, students, and families as we explore the history, technology, and incredible stories behind the aircraft that redefined speed and reconnaissance.
Home to the SR-71A that still holds the world speed record, the Museum of Aviation offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from the people who designed, maintained, and operated this remarkable aircraft.
Whether you’re a lifelong aviation enthusiast or discovering the Blackbird for the first time, Blackbird Days offers exclusive access and experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Event Highlights
Thursday | September 24
Kick off Blackbird Days with educational experiences designed to inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.
- 2 panel discussions
- 4 small group learning discussions
Friday | September 25
Hear directly from the people who made history.
- 2 panel discussions
- 4 small group learning discussions
- Aircraft Tours
- SR-71 Cockpit Viewings
Saturday | September 26
Join us for a special Family Aviation Day celebrating one of the most extraordinary aircraft ever built, the SR-71 Blackbird.
Spend the day exploring the incredible story behind this record-setting aircraft through firsthand accounts from the people who flew, maintained, and supported the Blackbird program.
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1 panel discussion
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4 small group learning discussions
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Aircraft Tours
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SR-71 Cockpit Viewing
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Commemorative Poster Signing
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National STEM Academy Programs
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WWII Reenactors
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Subject Matter Experts with various Aircraft
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AC-130 Tours
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Food Trucks
SR-71 Crew
Meet the SR-71 Pilots, Navigators, and Crew, who will be here to share their expert accounts.
SR-71 Expert Panels and Small Group Learning Sessions
These experiences allow guests to explore the Blackbird alongside the people who knew it best.
Featured panel discussions will bring together former pilots, maintainers, engineers, and experts to share firsthand stories about operating and supporting the legendary SR-71.
Each Small Group Learning Session, or POD, focuses on a different aspect of the aircraft, from maintenance and engineering to flight operations and mission systems, led by former crew members and experts with firsthand experience. Enjoy rare opportunities to get up close to the aircraft.
Why the SR-71 Matters
Built to fly higher, faster, and farther than any aircraft before it, the SR-71 Blackbird remains an engineering masterpiece. Decades after its retirement, it still holds world speed records that have never been broken.
The Museum of Aviation is proud to preserve the very SR-71A that set and continues to hold the official world speed record, making Blackbird Days one of the few places where visitors can stand beneath aviation history while hearing its story from those who lived it.
