X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT

FLIGHT NO: 1-60-99 DATE OF REPORT: 10/26/65

PILOT: Capt. W. Knight DATE OF FLIGHT: 9/30/65

CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #003 LAUNCH LAKE: Hidden Hills

ENGINE SERIAL: 108 APU #1 16 APU #2 20

PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: 1. Pilot Checkout

2. I. R. Scanner (HRB Singer)

I. Discussion of Previous Operations

A. None II. Aircraft Configuration Change A. Although the planned aircraft altitude and velocity were below requested IR Scanner (Singer) conditions, the decision was made to carry the experiment for the pilot checkout flight because of loss of all experiment data on the previous flight, reference item IV C report 1-59-98. III. Preflight Events A. The No. 2 APU tank was replaced because of a leak in the Vicone bladder.

B. Satisfactory APU runs were accomplished on 9/27/65; the BCS was not preflighted.

C. A pilot-checkout fit check was accomplished on 9/28/65 to determine proper seat hardware for Captain Knight. A simulated flight with canopy closed, X-15 suit vent supply and X-15 oxygen supply was made to familiarize the pilot with switch location and sequence as part of the flight checklist.

D. Replacement of the SAS Hi-Lo-Hi gain box and a roll channel malfunction detector module was necessary after the preflight was accomplished. A malfunction occurred in the SAS in-flight test sequence during the pilot simulated flight. The parts were replaced, and a satisfactory checkout followed.

E. Some delays occurred during the IFDS post closeout operation resulting in completion at 0200, 9/30/65. Aircraft mating was then accomplished, the B-52 moved to the X-15 service area, and propellant service for flight was commenced.

IV. Flight Events A. The SAS pitch channel tripped out during the outbound track as a result of air turbulence. Reset was accomplished without further problems.

Approved by: Prepared by:

Perry V. Row Ronald S. Waite

X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer