X-15 FLIGHT REQUEST

Flight No.: 2-16-30 Scheduled Date : May 18, 1961

Pilot: Joseph A. Walker

Subject of Test : Velocity buildup flight; check of SAS residual oscillation characteristics; aerodynamic heating; stability, control and performance research data.

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

Launch: Mud Lake on magnetic heading of 180°. SAS 8-8-8
 
No. Time Alt V a Event

 
 
           
1. *0 45 790 - Launch using side control stick, light engine, advance throttle to 100% T, rotate to 7° a.
           
2. 35 50 2400 7 Maintain 7° a until q = 30°.
           
3. 40 55 2600 4 Maintain 30° q. Pushover to zero g at 40 sec.
           
4. 73 97 5000 0 Hold zero g. Shut down engine at 73 sec.; set SAS 8-6-4.
           
5. 78 100 5000 0 Perform rudder pulse; set SAS 8-6-8.
           
6. 90 110 4800 0 Perform pitch pulse with SAS 0-6-8; reset to 8-6-8.
           
7. 115 117 4700 15 At peak altitude rotate to 15° a.
           
8. 125 117 4600 15 Perform the following series of pulses while decelerating to V » 3000 fps: rudder, BCS yaw, stabilizer, BCS pitch, BCS roll.
           
9. 190 95 3000 12 **Extend speed brakes.
           
10. 290 80 2000 10 Initiate turn to high key. **Retract speed brakes.

11. Continue space-positioning to high key. **Obtain calibrate.

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: Grapevine and Cuddeback.

3. If Ball-nose is inoperative prior to launch, fly 1.5g until q = 30°; proceed as planned using maximum stabilizer trim instead of 15° a pullup.

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

2. Malfunction of inertial platform attitude, q, F, Y.

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

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

3. If roll SAS malfunction occurs prior to V = 2500 fps; shutdown engine, jettison and land at Mud Lake..

4. If roll SAS fails after V = 2500 fps (or 35 sec. burning time), continue to normal shutdown time -- proceed to Edwards at low a.

5. Yaw SAS failure -- proceed as planned. Perform pitch pulses, other maneuvers at pilot's discretion.

6. Pitch or yaw SAS failure -- proceed as planned. Use max stabilizer trim (a » 13°) instead of 15° a pull-up. No intentional pulses.

7. If an engine relight is necessary, rotate initially to 8° a and proceed as planned.

8. For inadvertant engine shutdown: prior to 35 seconds, return to Mud Lake, 35 to 60 seconds proceed to Grapevine Lake, 60 to 65 seconds proceed to Cuddeback, above 65 seconds continue to Rogers.

 Launch Wt. 33,200lb Landing Wt. 14,500lb

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