X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT
FLIGHT NO: 3-43-66 DATE OF REPORT: 6-23-65
PILOT: Capt. Joe Engle DATE OF FLIGHT: 6-14-65
CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #003 LAUNCH LAKE: Delamar
ENGINE NO: S/N 107 APU #1 14 APU #2 21
PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: 1. NSL Radiometer
2. Boundary Layer Noise
I. Discussion of Previous Operations
A. An APU shutdown during initial start occurred on
flight 3-41-64. During post-flight checks, the heater was found to be shorted
to the metering valve coils and the metering valve was changed. This short
was in the harness, which was changed by the Air Force maintenance activity.
The valve returned to service on APU S/N 21 without a flow check (harness
change does not require a valve disassembly), and a shutdown on initial
start occurred on flight 3-43-66 identical in appearance to 3-41-64. The
valve was removed and sent to the Air Force for flow check. Minimum flow
was found to be too high and response too slow.
II. Aircraft Configuration Changes
A. APU, S/N 23, was replaced by S/N 21 due to a leaky
hydraulic pump seal.
B. The NH3 tank regulator was changed due to peculiar
operation in flight.
III. Instrument Configuration Changes
A. The drag link strain gages were calibrated on the
aircraft by pulling on the MLG strut.
B. The RH upper BLN panel was put on the aircraft with
one microphone.
C. Experiment 3A, NSL radiometer, replaced experiments
3B and 4 in the tailcone box.
IV. Preflight Events
A. APU and BCS runs were accomplished on June 7, 1965.
The engine was not operated due to good flight operation.
B. The aircraft was mated on June 14, 1965 for flight.
C. Flight was not attempted on June 15, 1965 due to weather.
V. Flight Events
A. Number 2 APU shutdown on initial start with no hydraulic
load similar to shutdown on flight 3-41-64. Restart was successful. The
APU metering valve was found to be the same one as on flight 3-41-64.
B. The canopy seal apparently failed to inflate during
initial climbout due to a sticky regulator valve. The regulator valve opened
and the system worked normally for the remainder of prelaunch and flight.
C. No problems were encountered during flight 3-43-66
which was flown on June 16, 1965.
Approved By: Prepared by:
Perry V. Row Vincent N. Capasso
X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer