On Thu, 24 Jul 2003 16:27:58 -0400, "Lawrence Dillard"
wrote:

Dear ng:

Can anyone supply details on NASA's flight profiles when using the
Blackbird? I am interested in confirming/denying a report I heard/read to
the effect that to economize on fuel use, NASA would climb the Blackbird to
a given height, dive it through the "sound barrier" then continue to
accelerate while climbing to operational altitude. If true, could someone
detail the height at which the dive began? Thanks.


That's a standard technique when trying to minimize your climb time
with a supersonic cruise speed. Trying to climb through Mach 1 is
brutal (Drag rise in the transonic region is tremendous...minimizing
time in that region is the key).

AFJ