X-15 FLIGHT PLAN

Flight No.: 2-14-27 Scheduled Date : March 21, 1961

Pilot: Joseph A. Walker

Subject of Test : Altitude buildup flight; evaluation of BCS and other systems in moderate altitude environment; thermostructures and aerodynamic research data.

Airplane Configuration: Basic X-15 with XLR-99 engine

Launch: Hidden Hills Lake on magnetic heading of 235°. SAS 6-6-6

No. Time Alt V a Event

1. 0 45 790 - Launch using center stick, light engine, advance throttle to 75% T, rotate to 10° a.

2. 12 44 1300 10 Maintain 10° a until 1.5 g (transfer to side stick).

3. 55 64 2550 7 Hold 1.5 g until q = 35° (maintain 35° q until shutdown).

4. 65 80 3000 6 Perform rudder pulse.

5. 79 100 3700 7 Shutdown engine, *activate BCS switches, use BCS and stabilizer trim to reduce a from 7° to 4°.

6. 135 150 3250 15 At peak altitude* extend speed brakes and rotate to 15° a. (Peak values on reentry: V = 3500, q = 650, Nz = 3.0, Nx = -0.8, g = -21°, Temp. » 500°).

7. »200 100 3500 15 *Turn off BCS switches.

8. »245 65 »2600 5 Roundout, perform pitch pulse with SAS 0-6-6.

9. »250 60 2400 12 Initiate 2 1/2 g space-positioning turn to base.

10. - - - 12 Perform two pitch pulses while decelerating to V = 2000. *Reset SAS 6-6-6, and retract speed brakes.

11. Continue space-positioning to high key.

12. Check ventral armed, pressurize tanks.

13. Transfer to center stick for landing, 300 knot landing approach, jettison ventral three miles from touchdown, flaps and gear down - intended touchdown is two-mile marker.

14. Before APU shutdown, cycle controls, retract flaps, set stabilizer trim to zero, and push-to-test on ball nose. Data off.

# Time starts with onset of chamber pressure.

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

Notes: 1. Duration of flight approximately 11 min.

2. Emergency Lakes: Hidden Hills and Cuddeback.

Ground Rules for "No Launch": 1. Malfunction of any SAS channel.

2. Malfunction of inertial platform attitude, q.

Alternate Situations After Launch: 1. If engine fails to light after two attempts, jettison propellants and land at Hidden Hills Lake.

2. If roll SAS fails, reduce thrust to 50%, extend speed brakes, accelerate at low a to 3500 fps (or to "Edwards" area), shutdown and glide to base.

3. If pitch or yaw SAS fail proceed as planned.

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

Launch Wt. 32,200lb Landing Wt. 14,500lb

Launch C.G. 20.3% Landing C.G. 15.0%


1.	0	45	790	-	Launch using center stick, light engine, advance throttle to 75% T, rotate to 10° a.

2.	12	44	1300	10	Maintain 10° a until 1.5 g (transfer to side stick).

3.	55	64	2550	7	Hold 1.5 g until q = 35° (maintain 35° q until shutdown).

4.	65	80	3000	6	Perform rudder pulse.

5.	79	100	3700	7	Shutdown engine, *activate BCS switches, use BCS and stabilizer trim to reduce a from 7° to 4°.

6.	135	150	3250	15	At peak altitude* extend speed brakes and rotate to 15° a. (Peak values on reentry: V = 3500, q = 650, Nz = 3.0, Nx = -0.8, g = -21°, Temp. » 500°).

7.	»200	100	3500	15	*Turn off BCS switches.

8.	»245	65	»2600	5	Roundout, perform pitch pulse with SAS 0-6-6.

9.	»250	60	2400	12	Initiate 2 1/2 g space-positioning turn to base.

10.	-	-	-	12	Perform two pitch pulses while decelerating to V = 2000. *Reset SAS 6-6-6, and retract speed brakes.