Watch An SR-71 Pilot Explain How The Cockpit Works -- Popular Mechanics

An SR-71's exterior is all smooth, swooping surfaces. The Blackbird's interior, however, is a cramped assemblage of dials and switches need to keep the supersonic spy plane aloft.

Don't be intimidated, would-be pilots. In this video, longtime SR-71 pilot Richard Graham walks you through the bevy of controls and explains what each one tells you.

For something cool and also kind of terrifying, skip to about 14:18, at which point you can see Graham showing off the back of the plane where the navigator sat. As he explains, it was critical that the pilot and navigator were both in perfect health before each flight, because neither could fly the plane properly if the other were to be incapacitated.

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My Comment: This was once classified ultra-top secret .... today it is on YouTube.