Proceedings of the X-15 First Flight 30th Anniversary Celebration: NASA Conference...

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this is an excellent report on the historic X-15 program. A technical symposium and pilots' panel discussion were held on June 8,1989, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first free flight of the X-15 rocket-powered research aircraft. The symposium featured technical presentations by former key Government and industry participants in the advocacy, design, manufacturing, and flight research program activities. The X-15's technical contributions to the X-30 are cited. The panel discussion participants included seven of the eight surviving research pilots who flew the X-15 experimental aircraft to world altitude and speed records which still stand. Pilots' remarks include descriptions of their most memorable X-15 flight experience. The report also includes a historical perspective of the X-15 by noted aerospace author and historian Dr. Richard P. Hallion.
WELCOME * Dr. Dale L. Compton * INTRODUCTION * Theodore G. Ayers * X-15 CONCEPT EVOLUTION * Dr. Walter C. Williams * Epilogue * X-15 HARDWARE DESIGN CHALLENGES * Dr. Harrison A. Storms, Jr. * X-15: THE PERSPECTIVE OF HISTORY * Dr. Richard P. Hallion * THE LEGACY OF THE X-15 * Dr. Charles J. Donlan * References * X-15 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE X-30 * Robert G. Hoey * WHAT IS THE X-30? * Stephen D. Ishmael * X-15 PILOTS' PANEL * Ralph B. Jackson * William H. Dana * A. Scott Crossfield * Maj. Gen. Robert M. White * Vice Adm. Forrest S. Petersen * Maj. Gen. Robert A. Rushworth * Paul F. Bikle * Brig. Gen. Joe H. Engle * Milton O. Thompson * Col. William J. (Pete) Knight * APPENDIX A * X-15 FLIGHT LOG * APPENDIX B * NOMENCLATURE