X-15 FLIGHT REQUEST

Flight No.: 2-17-32 Scheduled Date : June 14, 1961

Pilot: Major R. M. White

Subject of Test : Velocity buildup flight; aerodynamic heating; stability, control and performance research data.

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

Launch: Mud Lake on magnetic heading of 171°. SAS 8-6-8
 
 
No. Time Alt V a Event

 
           
1. *0 45 790 - Launch using side control stick, light engine, advance throttle to 100% T, rotate to 10° a.
           
2. 25 50 1900 9 Maintain 10° a until q = 30°.
           
3. 37 54 2400 5 Maintain 30° q. Pushover to zero g at 37 sec.
           
4. 75 100 5300 0 Hold zero g. Shut down engine at 75 sec. Perform 2 rudder pulses.
           
5. 97 115 5100 15 At peak altitude, rotate to 15°a, wait 5 seconds, then perform rudder pulse.
           
6. 131 115 4500 15 Perform 1/2 rudder deflection steady sideslip and a sudden release.
           
7. 150 115 4000 15 Perform series of rudder pulses while decelerating to V = 3200 fps.
           
8. 228 95 3200 5 *Reduce a to 5°; set SAS 8-0-0. Evaluate b-dot control technique.
           
9. 320 70 2200 15 Reset SAS 8-6-8. Initiate turn to high key.

10. Check ventral armed, pressurize tanks, obtain calibrate.

11. 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.

12. 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 Ballarat.

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

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

3. If ball nose fails, fly 1.5 g until q = 30°; proceed as planned using maximum stabilizer trim instead of 15° a pullup.

4. If any SAS channel malfunction occurs and cannot be reset prior to V = 2400 fps, shutdown engine, jettison and land at Mud Lake.

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

6. Yaw SAS failure after V = 2400 fps -- proceed as planned. Perform pitch pulses, other maneuvers at pilot's discretion.

7. Pitch or yaw SAS failure after 2400 fps -- proceed as planned. Use max stabilizer trim instead of 15° a pull-up. No intentional pulses.

8. If an engine relight is necessary, add 1 second to shutdown.

9. For inadvertent engine shutdown: prior to 35 seconds, return to Mud Lake, 35 to 55 seconds proceed to Ballarat, above 65 seconds continue to Rogers.
 
 

 Launch Wt. 32,600lb Landing Wt. 14,500lb

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