Bob Gilliland was ‘Papa Bear’ pilot for top-secret Blackbird

By , Daily Memphian Updated: July 09, 2019 2:16 PM CT | Published: July 08, 2019 4:30 PM CT

Bob Gilliland flew into aviation history in 1964 as the test pilot for the top-secret SR-71 Blackbird. He died Thursday at his home in California at age 93.

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Bob Gilliland
Jane Roberts

Jane Roberts

Longtime journalist Jane Roberts is a Minnesotan by birth and a Memphian by choice. She's lived and reported in the city more than two decades. She covers business news and features for The Daily Memphian.


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