Airplane Retired In 1999 Still Holds Many Speed, Altitude Records
On Dec. 22, 1964 – one of the most remarkable aircraft in history made its first flight, the SR-71 Blackbird. Throughout its career the SR-71 was the fastest, highest-flying aircraft in the world. In its more than 3,500 strategic reconnaissance missions it routinely flew at Mach-3 and cruised above 85,000 feet. Despite being retired finally in 1999 the SR-71 still holds many official speed and altitude records.