X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT

FLIGHT NO: 3-61-91 DATE OF REPORT: 7-31-67

PILOT: William H. Dana DATE OF FLIGHT: 7-20-67

CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #008 LAUNCH LAKE: Hidden Hills

ENGINE NO: S/N 103 APU #1 19AN APU #2 25AN

PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: 1. Cold-wall Heat Transfer

2. Wavey Panel Heat Transfer
3. Boost Guidance Checkout
4. PCM Checkout
5. Horizontal Tail Loads

I. Discussion of Previous Operations

A. As with the previous blow-off panel flights, an oscillation of the rudder was noted with panel release. Strain gage data was obtained and is being analyzed. II. A/C Configuration Changes A. The window shade roller was modified by adding a screw & washer to the square end to prevent it slipping out of place thus allowing the spring to unwind

B. An F-104 type battery, Sonotone MA-300H was installed in place of the standard emergency battery. The flaps and third-skid squibs were moved from the primary bus to the battery bus.

III. Instrumentation Configuration Changes A. An internal temperature measurement was added to the Mach probe reference oven.

B. The bugeye cameras pulse was moved to the Parsons tape recorder.

C. One strain gage on the RH horizontal was added to the Parson's tape recorder.

D. Two T/C's were added to the LH tip pod.

IV. Preflight Events A. APU runs were accomplished on 14 July. Flight was then delayed a couple of days to further investigate the incident with Ship 1.

B. The aircraft was mated to B-52-008 on 19 July.

V. Flight Events A. There were no servicing problems for flight 3-61 on 20 July.

B. The boost guidance computer did not operate properly during flight. Postflight checks revealed a wrong bit in the memory. The memory power supply voltage was reset to provide better operation under flight conditions,

C. The theta vernier again was found to be sluggish in operation. Checks revealed the meter movement installed by Lear was the wrong one, as a highly damped movement was installed in place of the one used in the ship 1 & 2 balls as requested. The movements will be changed on a rotational basis in the three X-15-3 balls.

Approved By: Prepared by:

Perry V. Row Vincent N. Capasso

X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer