Before the SR-71 Maiden Flight, the RSO Cockpit Had to Be Rearranged

The USAF would not buy the Blackbird unless the cockpit layout was redesigned.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:11am

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A highly structured, geometric abstract painting in muted tones of blue, grey, and silver, visualizing the complex instrumentation and cockpit design of the SR-71 Blackbird through sweeping arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conveying the technical precision and engineering prowess behind this iconic aircraft.An abstract rendering of the intricate cockpit layout that had to be carefully redesigned to meet the needs of the SR-71's elite reconnaissance crews.Palmdale Today

Before the SR-71 Blackbird's first flight, the cockpit layout for the Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO) had to be completely rearranged. The original design, with instruments scattered haphazardly, was deemed unacceptable by the first three RSOs chosen for the program - Richard 'Butch' Sheffield, Coz Mallozzi, and Tom Schmittou. They demanded the cockpit be redesigned, even though it would be expensive, or else the entire SR-71 program may have failed.

Why it matters

The SR-71 Blackbird was an engineering marvel, capable of flying at extreme speeds and altitudes. But the cockpit layout was critical to the success of the reconnaissance missions. The RSO had to be able to quickly access all the necessary instruments and controls to effectively carry out their duties. Rearranging the cockpit was a necessary step to ensure the Blackbird could perform as intended and meet the USAF's requirements.

The details

The original SR-71 RSO cockpit design, as described by Sheffield, had the instruments 'anywhere they would fit' with no cohesive layout. Airspeed, attitude, and altitude indicators were scattered across the cockpit, making it difficult for the RSO to quickly reference the necessary information. Sheffield, Mallozzi, and Schmittou, the first three RSOs chosen for the program, immediately recognized the cockpit was not functional and demanded it be rearranged. They made a classified call to an official at the National Reconnaissance Office who then directed Lockheed's Skunk Works to redesign the cockpit layout per the RSOs' specifications.

  • In the early stages of the SR-71 program, before the first flight, the cockpit layout was rearranged.
  • The first three RSOs - Sheffield, Mallozzi, and Schmittou - identified the cockpit issues while attending training at Lockheed's Skunk Works in Palmdale, California.

The players

Richard 'Butch' Sheffield

Colonel Richard 'Butch' Sheffield was the first man picked for the SR-71 program. He was a former B-58 pilot with a perfect bomb run record who was recruited to become an RSO for the Blackbird.

Coz Mallozzi

One of the first three RSOs chosen for the SR-71 program, along with Sheffield and Schmittou.

Tom Schmittou

One of the first three RSOs chosen for the SR-71 program, along with Sheffield and Mallozzi.

Kelly Johnson

A Lockheed employee who taught the flight test school class at the Skunk Works that Sheffield attended.

Ben Rich

A Lockheed employee who taught the flight test school class at the Skunk Works that Sheffield attended.

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What they’re saying

“No one. Kelly told us to put the instruments 'anywhere they would fit.' What a mess!”

— Lockheed Skunk Works Engineer, Designer of the original SR-71 RSO cockpit layout

“I will tell the Skunk Works (SW) to do as you say.”

— Tom Jones, Official, National Reconnaissance Office Program 'D' Office

What’s next

The rearranged SR-71 RSO cockpit layout was approved and implemented before the Blackbird's maiden flight, allowing the reconnaissance missions to be carried out effectively.

The takeaway

The SR-71 Blackbird's success hinged on the ability of the Reconnaissance Systems Officer to quickly access and interpret critical flight data. Rearranging the initially haphazard cockpit layout was a necessary step to ensure the USAF would approve the aircraft and enable its groundbreaking reconnaissance capabilities.