T38 Talon Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions

Northrop’s T-38 Talon was the world’s first supersonic trainer aircraft, and remains in service today in air forces worldwide. It entered service in 1961, and quickly set climb records, earning it the nickname “white rocket”. Nearly 1200 Talons were produced before the last one rolled off the assembly line in 1972.

Capable of a speed of Mach 1.3, and a climb rate approaching 34,000 feet per minute, the T-38’s performance was sufficient to warrant service as the USAF Thunderbirds’ aircraft in the mid-1970s. Its primary role however, was as a dedicated training and proficiency platform. More than 50,000 USAF, NASA and NATO pilots have flown the Talon, a record that may never be matched.

Originally printed by the U.S. Air Force and Northrop, this handbook for the T-38 provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of this famous aircraft. Originally classified “restricted”, the manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form.

Black and white interior with color covers.