X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT

FLIGHT NO: 3-27-44 DATE OF REPORT: June 9, 1964

PILOT: John B. McKay DATE OF FLIGHT: March 13, 1964

CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #003 LAUNCH LAKE: Hidden Hills

PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: Heat Transfer and Skin Friction Experiments with the Sharp Upper Vertical Fin

Boundary Layer Noise Experiment

Pilot Checkout Utilizing MH-96

I. Discussion of Previous Operations

None II. Aircraft Configuration Changes A. The Giannini probe was installed on panel F-4. III. Instrumentation Configuration Changes A. Wiring for the Giannini angle-of-attack and angle-of-sideslip cone has been completed.

B. New strain gages have been installed on the main gear drag braces.

 IV. Preflight Events A. The lox tank vent valve was changed because of a high tank pressure (72 psi) experienced during the last flight.

B After the airplane was serviced for flight on March 4, 1964, a leak was found in the air speed system. This required removing the ball nose to repair; therefore, the flight was canceled.

C. The flight scheduled for March 5th was canceled because of high winds.

D. The flight scheduled for March 6th was canceled because of high winds.

E. During jettisoning of the propellants on March 6th, a malfunction developed in the lox tank regulator. The airplane was demated to allow changing of the lox tank regulator. Three new regulators were installed before a satisfactory check could be accomplished.

F. The flight scheduled for March 9th was canceled when the radar beacon failed just prior to takeoff. The beacon was replaced.

G. During the ground jettison check, the FOX source was dumped upon going to the vent position. This caused a three hour delay for warming of the regulator and reservicing the FOX source.

H. After pilot entry and closing of the canopy, a leak was discovered in the canopy seal. Replacement required removing the canopy; therefore, flight was rescheduled for March 12th.

I. During jettisoning of the propellants on March 10th, the lox tank regulator went over-pressure. The airplane was again demated to change the lox tank regulator

J. The flight scheduled for March 12th was canceled because of unfavorable weather conditions.

 V. Flight Events A. The tape system did not function during the flight. A revision of the tape switch from a three position switch to a two position switch should eliminate the possibility of selecting the wrong position.
 
 
 
 
 
  Approved By: Prepared by:

Perry V. Row John G. McTigue

X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer