X-15 FLIGHT REQUEST

Flight No.: 2-21-37 Scheduled Date : October 24, 1961

Pilot: Major Robert White

Subject of Test : Maximum velocity profile to engine burnout, aerodynamic heating, control, stability and performance research data.

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

Launch: Mud Lake on magnetic heading of 175°. 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. 21 50 1600 10 Maintain 10° a until q = 25°.

3. 48 70 3000 4 Maintain q = 25°, pushover to zero g at 48 sec., maintain zero g (a null bar will be set at zero a).

4. 83 106 6000 0 Accelerate at zero g until engine burnout (burning time » 83 sec.)

5. 88 108 5900 0 ** Set SAS 8-0-0, perform rudder pulse.

6. 96 110 5900 - ** Extend speed brakes, gradually increase a attempting to control airplane.

7. 190 90 3200 5 ** Reset SAS 8-6-8, ** retract speed brakes.

8. 200 90 3100 - Perform pushover-pullup maneuver, a from zero to 12 or 15 degrees.

9. 215 86 3000 - ** Extend speed brakes, ** set SAS 8-0-0, continue control evaluation.

10. » 300 70 »2000 - ** Reset SAS 8-6-8, ** use speed brakes as needed, initiate space positioning turn to high key.

11. At approximately M = 0.8 perform pushover-pullup maneuver.

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

13. Land with side-arm controller, 300 knot approach, jettison ventral 3 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 ball nose. Data off.

Notes: 1. Duration of flight approximately 10 min.

2. Emergency Lakes: Grapevine and Ballarat.

Ground Rules for "No Launch" in addition to Operation Manual: 1. Malfunction of any SAS channel.

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

3. Malfunction of hot nose.

Alternate Situations After Launch: 1. If radar or radio become inoperative proceed as planned.

2. If ball nose fails, fly 2.0 g until q = 25°; proceed on alternate flight plan.

3. If roll or yaw channel malfunction occurs and cannot be reset prior to V = 2500 fps shutdown and return to Mud Lake.

4. If pitch or pitch-yaw SAS fails after V = 2500 fps, proceed on alternate flight plan.

5. If roll SAS fails after V = 2500 fps proceed as planned but do not perform high a pulse.

6. If engine relight is necessary add 1 second to pushover time.

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

9. If cabin pressure is lost proceed with alternate flight plan.

ALTERNATE FLIGHT PLAN
1) Launch through engine shutdown, same as normal flight.

2) After engine shutdown maintain 0 g until q = 0.

3) Trim to 10° a (17° stabilizer setting). Perform pulses at pilot's discretion during deceleration.

4) Retract speed brakes at 2000 fps and vector to high key for landing.


1.	0	45	790	-	Launch using side control stick, light engine, advance throttle to 100% T, rotate to 10° a.

2.	21	50	1600	10	Maintain 10° a until q = 25°.

3.	48	70	3000	4	Maintain q = 25°, pushover to zero g at 48 sec., maintain zero g (a null bar will be set at zero a).

4.	83	106	6000	0	Accelerate at zero g until engine burnout (burning time » 83 sec.)

5.	88	108	5900	0	** Set SAS 8-0-0, perform rudder pulse.

6.	96	110	5900	-	** Extend speed brakes, gradually increase a attempting to control airplane.

7.	190	90	3200	5	Reset SAS 8-6-8, retract speed brakes.

8.	200	90	3100	-	Perform pushover-pullup maneuver, a from zero to 12 or 15 degrees.

9.	215	86	3000	-	Extend speed brakes, set SAS 8-0-0, continue control evaluation.

10.	» 300	70	»2000	-	Reset SAS 8-6-8, use speed brakes as needed, initiate space positioning turn to high key.