X-15 FLIGHT REQUEST

Flight No. 1-23-38 Scheduled Date of Flight: 9-6-61

Pilot: Capt. Robert A. Rushworth

Subject of Test: Handling qualities and stability data for ventral-off configuration..

Airplane Configuration: Basic X-15: XLR99 engine; nonlinear aileron gearing, jettisonable ventral fin removed. Leading edge slot heat shields.

Launch: Silver Lake on magnetic heading of 243°. SAS 8-4-4.
 
 No. Time Alt V a  Event
           
1. *0 45 790 - Launch using center stick, SAS 8-4-4, light engine at 50%T, rotate to 10°a.
           
2. 36 48 1500 10° Maintain 10° a until q = 30°.
           
3. 83 65 1900 7° Maintain 30° q, pushover to zero g at 63 sec. **Extend speed brakes.
           
4. 100 80 3100 7° After coming level, establish one g trim and perform wings level sideslip with sudden release.
           
5. 120 80 3700 5° Shutdown engine at 120 sec. **Set SAS 8-0-4, perform rudder pulse.
           
6. 140 80 3200 12° Rotate to maximum trim stabilizer (dh = 25°), perform rudder pulse.
           
7. 155 80 2700 10° Initiate space-positioning turn with » 90° bank angle to check antenna selector switch.
           
8. 175 75 2200   **Retract speed brakes, perform rudder pulse. Switch to side-arm control, continue rudder pulses.

9. Reset SAS 8-4-4, initiate space-positioning turn to high key performing rudder pulses at pilot's option..

10. At 0.8 M perform pushover-pullup.

11. Set SAS 8-0-0, perform rudder pulses.

12. Reset SAS 6-4-8 for landing.

13. Pressurize tanks; obtain calibrate.

14. Transfer to center stick, 300 knot landing approach, flaps and gear down - intended touchdown is two-mile marker, perform minimum distance slide.

15. Before APU shutdown, cycle controls, set stabilizer trim to zero and push-to-test ball nose -- DATA OFF.

* Time starts with onset of engine chamber pressure.

** Ground control call-out items if not reported by pilot.

NOTES: 1. Duration of flight approximately 10 min.

2. Emergency lakes -- Three Sisters and Cuddeback.

Ground Rules Not Covered in Operating Manual for "No Launch":

1. Malfunction of roll channel.

2. Malfunction of inertial platform attitude, q, f, y.

3. Malfunction of hot nose.

Alternate Situations After Launch:

1. If engine fails to light after two attempts, jettison propellants and land at Silver Lake.

2. If radar or radio become inoperative, proceed as planned.

3. If ball nose fails fly 2.0g until q = 30°; proceed as planned. Fly 1.0g after shutdown with SAS 8-4-4.

4. If an engine relight is necessary, add 2 seconds to pushover time, and 2 sec. to shutdown.

5. For inadvertent engine shutdown: Prior to 65 seconds return to Silver; 65-75 sec. proceed to Three Sisters; 75-85 sec. proceed to Cuddeback; above 85 sec. continue to Rogers.
 
 

 Launch Wt. 32,400lb Landing Wt. 14,500lb

Launch C.G. 20.1% Landing C.G. 15%