X-15 #1 First Drop Flight

June 8, 1959

Pilot - Crossfield.

Released 8:40 Countdown

Crossfield:

Looks pretty good here. I'm at 33,000, level, 250, oscillatory in pitch, very spongy in roll (Lost him for a few seconds)

   

Q.C.:

Emergency battery off, Scott?

   

Crossfield:

(back on air) 190. Flaps coming down.

   

Chase:

Read 175, Scott

   

Crossfield:

Thank you Bob. Where am I sitting now?

   

Chase:

Right off Runway 4.

   

Crossfield:

I see it. I'm at 31,000 feet. 190 indicated. Flaps give very little buffet. Flaps coming up. Very soft pitch. 255-260, 21,000 feet. Roll control is....pitch control is very spongy. Right turn. Too much speed.

   

Chase:

270

   

Crossfield:

Buffet. Going to land a little long on the lake.

   

Chase:

Position here. Just passed 16,000 on my altimeter.

   

Crossfield:

Roger. I'm reading 15. My heading on that intersection is 120.

   

Q.C.:

Reminder on lower ventral Jettison.

   

Chase:

Don't forget to call it please.

   

Crossfield:

What's my position here? Looks like it might not be so bad.

   

Chase:

Think you're real good here at 13,000. Reading 240.

   

Crossfield:

Beginning the turn-in. APUs looking real good. Wish I had guts enough to do a barrel roll here. Feel like I'm back in the saddle again, Buddy.

   

Chase:

Don't forget your ventral.

   

Crossfield:

OK wait till I clear the edge of the lake here. Coming off now. She handles nice right along here.

   

Chase:

260

   

Crossfield:

Flaps. Trim change. Gear down

   

Chase:

230. Take it easy. The gear? About 30 ft. Just hold it steady and set it right there.

(End of transcription)