X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT

FLIGHT NO: 3-11-20 DATE OF REPORT: November 1, 1962

PILOT: Maj. Rushworth DATE OF FLIGHT: October 23, 1962

CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #008 LAUNCH LAKE: Mud Lake

PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: Investigation of Ventral Off Stability

I. Discussion of Previous Operations

None. II. Aircraft Configuration Changes A. Right hand windshield was changed due to an annealed condition at the aft portion.

B. Windshield retainers cut. The aft section of both windshield retainers was removed to eliminate the annealing of the windshield glass.

C. Flight orifice change. In order to help insure an NH3 depletion shutdown a smaller orifice was installed in the LOX line.

D. The lower ventral was not installed for this flight.

III. Instrument Configuration Changes None IV. Preflight Events A. APU Removal: APU S/N 21AN which failed during Flight 3-10-19 was removed and APU S/N 20AN was installed.

B. Deformed Thrust Mount: Prior to Flight 3-11-20 the upper right hand thrust mount displayed what was believed to be a partial failure. It was determined by engine alignment figures and a recheck of the engine alignment that the thrust mount was in this condition for at least one ground run and one flight. It was decided that a complete failure would essentially turn the mount into a hard mount of which approximately half of the XLR-99 flights have used. An investigation after flight showed no further deterioration of the mount.

V. Flight Events A. Auxiliary Launch System Inoperable: The pilot could not launch himself and had to be launched by the B-52 pilot. An evaluation of the system after flight showed that the auxiliary launch system circuit breaker was either pulled or had popped. An investigation of the circuit breaker indicates normal operating characteristics.

B. Lateral Out of Trim Condition: During flight the pilot reported an out of trim condition which affected his basic lateral control system causing left roll. Post flight investigation revealed a slight out of rig condition between the center stick and side stick.
 
 
 
 

Approved By: Prepared by:

Perry V. Row John G. McTigue

X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer