Renowned Aviator Brian Shul Dead at 75

SR-71 pilot, author, and motivational speaker suffered heart attack after a speech in Reno, Nevada.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 04:35 PM ET

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Renowned aviator Brian Shul, 75, died after suffering a heart attack after a speech in Reno, Nevada. [Credit: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

Brian Shul, a famed SR-71 Blackbird pilot, inspirational speaker, author, and photographer, passed away at 75 from a heart attack after giving a speech.
He was a Vietnam War veteran who, despite being shot down and severely burned, made a remarkable recovery to return to flight status and eventually pilot the ultra-fast SR-71.
Shul was renowned for captivating audiences with declassified stories of his SR-71 missions, including humorous anecdotes about its speed and capabilities.
After his flying career, he became a successful author of aviation books like "Sled Driver" and a photographer, inspiring many with his story of resilience and gratitude for a "second chance" at life.

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Brian Shul—SR-71 Blackbird pilot, inspirational speaker, photographer, author, and gifted storyteller has flown west. He was 75.

According to a social media post from his sister, Maureen Shul, on Monday, Shul was speaking in front of a large military group in Reno, Nevada, on Saturday night. As was his custom, he ended the event by signing copies of his books—he wrote several, including Sled Driver, Flying the World’s Fastest Jet that chronicled his experiences flying the SR-71 Blackbird.