X-15 FLIGHT REQUEST

Flight No.: 2-29-50 Scheduled Date : September 27, 1962

Pilot: John B. McKay

Subject of Test : Evaluation of heating rates at low angle of attack and low Mach number, and investigation of "ventral off" stability

Launch: Hidden Hills on magnetic heading 230°, SAS 6-4-8, YAR "OFF," BCS #1 "ON," RAS "STANDBY"
 
 
 No.   Time  Alt  V a  q   Event
             
1. 0 45 790 0 145 Launch, light engine, increase to and maintain 75%T, (Pc ª 475), rotate to 10°a.
             
2. 23 47 1550 10 485 Maintain 10°a until q = 20°.
             
3. 40 54 2200 5 625 Pushover to a» 2° (g » 4).
             
4. 65 62 3000 2 950 Pullup to a» 3°, maintain H-dot » +100 ft/sec (g = 1.0).
             
5. 75 63 3600 3 1300 Reduce thrust to » 40% (Pc » 285).
             
6. 82 64 3800 3 1340 Modulate SB (» 17°) to maintain slight longitudinal acceleration.
             
7. 115 65 4050 3 1460 SB in, increase a to 6°.
             
8. 124 67 4200 6 1440 Burnout - pushover to a = 2°, turn yaw damper off, perform dv pulse.
             
9. 137 73 4000 2 960 Reengage yaw damper.
             
10. 147 77 3650 2 650 Pullup to a = 10° and perform dv pulse.
             
11. 157 80 3250 10° 430 At pilot's discretion, pullup to a» 14°, perform dv pulse.
             
12. 162 82 3000 14 340 Push over to a = 10°. Retract speed brakes and perform dv pulse.
             
13. 177 87 2700 10 220 Vector to high key. Speed brakes as required.
             
14. 185         RAS "ENGAGE." Perform da pulse and dh pulse. RAS "STANDBY."

15. Perform dv pulse at pilot's discretion. Retract speed brakes at M = 2.0.

16. Yaw damper on, start jettison H2O2, speed brakes as required when subsonic.

17. When subsonic, perform pushover-pullup maneuver (a» 8-0-8).

18. High key, pressurize tanks at M = .8, push-to-test ball nose.

19. Before APU shutdown, cycle controls, retract flaps, set stabilizer trim to zero. Data off.

 Notes: 1. Duration of flight approximately 10 min.

2. q vernier will be set at 20°, a crosspointer will null at 2°.

3. Emergency Lakes: Silver and Cuddeback.

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

2. Malfunction of inertial platform attitudes.

3. Malfunction of ball nose.

 Alternate Situations After Launch: 1. If radio or radar fail; if inertial platform velocity is usable, proceed as planned; if inertial platform (velocity and altitude) is unusable, reduce power at 75 seconds, set up constant conditions, proceed as planned.

2. If ball nose fails, proceed as planned.

3. If total pitch SAS fails, proceed as planned.

4. If total roll SAS fails, disengage YAW SAS, proceed as planned, dv inputs not recommended.

7. For inadvertent engine shutdown:

0 - 50 sec Hidden Hills

50 - 65 sec Silver

65 - 74 sec Cuddeback

74 - Up sec Edwards

two engine restarts may be attempted in all cases.