THE FLIGHT THAT NEVER HAPPENED

By Sam Pizzo

One day, nearing the end of my tour at the Ranch, probably early summer of 65,the DO, then Col Doug called and told me I would be flying with him the next day. No problem here, it happened all the Sam Pizzo at Area 51time with Area non-project pilots. They'd call and away we'd go in the T-33,101,192 or the Blue Canoe. The next day I went out to the flight line looking for Col Nelson in the area where these birds were normally parked. No Col Nelson. Further looking, I see him down by the A-12 Trainer. Now, I think I must have gotten my day wrong. I hustle down there and lo and behold, I'm going up in the A-12 ! I almost got air sick before take off. At any rate, after a short safety briefing, of which I'm sure I remembered nothing, we strapped in and headed out for take off. I remember him saying "hold on Sam here we go." And away we went. An air refueling and a bit later we touched down and the flight was over.

As you know early Form 5's did not show Black Bird aircraft flights ( at least that was what I've been told ) and took till some time later, I understand, before A-12 pilot's Form 5's reflected the correct type aircraft. I never even checked my Form 5, but I'm sure it would reflect other than the A-12. Besides that, someone might have asked what the heck was a Navigator doing in an A-12 pilot trainer ! At any rate, I had the thrill of my life in the flight that never was, BUT IT WAS. I met General Nelson some years later and took the time to thank him for that ride. Not many would have done so.


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