X-15 Flight: 3-11-20
October 23, 1962
Pilot: Major R. A. Rushworth
2. Maintain 2g until q = 25°, maintain q = 25°.
3. Pushover to ". 2g" (a = 2° ).
4. Extend speed brakes to 20°.
5. Shutdown. Pullup to a = 20°, perform da pulse.
6. Increase to » 22° a, perform da pulse.
7. Increase to » 25° a, perform da pulse. MH-96 RC "AUTO."
8. Decrease a to » 11°. Heading Vernier "·y."
9. Peak altitude. Maintain q » 0° to 20° a. Heading Vernier " STANDBY."
10. Maintain 20° a until 2g is attained. Max. reentry g = 2.
11. Retract speed brakes (H-dot = -500 fps). MH-96 RC "OFF."
12. Increase to a » 12°, perform da pulse.
13. Pushover to a » 5°.
14. Vector to high key.
P.C.: Yes.
B. Compare launch "roll-off " excursion to previous flights where the ventral was used.
P.C.: Similar.
C. Following launch, describe the corrective lateral control applied to right the airplane. Were the rudders used?
P.C.: The corrective lateral control applied to right the airplane was normal. No rudders were used.
D. Note any unusual and/or distracting events during the rotation to climb attitude.
P.C.: The sun was in my eyes and it was very distracting. I did not use head bumpers because of engine instruments.
P.C.: Sun.
B. Describe the low angle of attack handling characteristics during the speed run, to engine shut down.
P.C.: Excellent. Small limit cycle oscillation.
C. Rate the airplane controllability during the speed run. Note changes due to speed brake deployment.
Pilot Rating speed brake in, q 2 , f 2 , y 2 .
Pilot Rating speed brake dj = 20°, q 2 , f 2 , y 2 .
1. The magnitude of control inputs.
2. The rate of control inputs.
3. The phasing of control inputs.
P.C.: The magnitude of control inputs was large in pitch, and the rate of control inputs was slow.
B. Rate the pilot control task during the pullup as a function of angle of attack.
Pilot Rating at a = 20°, q 3 , f 3 , y 3 .
Pilot Rating at a = 23°, q 3 , f 3 , y 3 .
C. Evaluate the handling characteristics of the airplane at high a's in terms of a new X-15 pilot with two checkout flights accomplished.
P.C.: Good.
P.C.: Yes.
B. Describe 3 axis ball ·y~b presentation when changeover was accomplished. Is this modification to the presentation satisfactory for further use on altitude flights?
P.C.: The 3 axis ball ·y~b presentation when changeover was accomplished was very good. Yes.
C. If hold modes were used, did they function normally?
P.C.: I did not use hold modes.
P.C.: Control characteristics were satisfactory.
B. Rate the pilot control task to execute the reentry.
q 2 , f 2 , y 2 .
C. What was an average indicated angle of attack for the reentry?
P.C.: 2g.
D. Describe the airplane control characteristics at 12° a, V » 3000 fps, with the speed brakes closed. Rate the pilot control task q 1 , f 1 , y 1 .
Pilot Rating for the approach q 1 , f 1 , y 1 .
Pilot Rating for the landing q 1 , f 1 , y 1 .
B. If "squat switch" was used, describe it's effect on the touchdown characteristics.
P.C.: None noticed.
Typed 1-14-63