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White Knight Flight Test Summaries

The following list includes summaries of the flight test activity of the White Knight research aircraft. The White Knight is equipped with the same system components as SpaceShipOne (cabin, ECS, pneumatic, avionics, trim servos, electrical, backup air data, test data, video & TM). Thus, the flight test program of the White Knight includes many tests that focus on SpaceShipOne systems qualification and maturity. Flight crews include program pilots Doug Shane, Mike Melvill, Brian Binnie and Pete Siebold, Cory Bird (White Knight project engineer) and Rick Aldrich (crew chief). This list will be updated monthly.

Flight		22
Date:	26-Apr-03				Flight Time:	0.3 hours
Pilot:	Melvill				Copilot:	Binnie
Objectives:
Airshow for the 'friends and family' unveiling
Results:
Good show for 1000+ guests. Broadcast media included CNN, ABC, PBS, Tech TV, Discovery & National Geographic TV.

Flight		21
Date:	18-Apr-03				Flight Time:	0.2 hours
Pilot:	Melvill				Copilot:	Binnie
Objectives:
Formal media rollout
Results:
Good show for the VIP/media audience

Flight		20
Date:	15-Apr-03				Flight Time:	0.7 hours
Pilot:	Melvill				Copilot:	Binnie
Objectives:
Repeat airshow maneuver practice
Results:
Minor tweaks to refine the airshow demonstration maneuvers.

Flight		19
Date:	15-Apr-03				Flight Time:	1.2 hours
Pilot:	Melvill				Copilot:	Binnie
Objectives:
Airshow maneuver practice. First flight with Spaceship launch system installed.
Results:
Satisfactory airshow results for various wind conditions. Launch system satisfactory.

Flight		18
Date:	7-Mar-03				Flight Time:	3.3 hours
Pilot:	Melvill				Copilot:	Cory Bird
Objectives:
Revised ECS configuration evaluation. Multiple SFO (simulated flame out) approaches to assess updated flight director steering cues.
Results:
New ECS configuration results encouraging. Engines returned to depot facility for second overhaul repair.

Flight		17
Date:	24-Feb-03				Flight Time:	2.8 hours
Pilot:	Binnie				Copilot:	Melvill
Objectives:
Evaluate performance of updated engines. Measure effect of new canted wingtips. Test new landing gear doors and upgraded INS hardware.
Results:
New and different engine irregularities at highest altitudes. Further mods are needed for adequate ECS humidity control. Canted wingtips solved the dihedral effect problem. No flying qualities issues remain.

Flight		16
Date:	12-Nov-02				Flight Time:	2.0 hours
Pilot:	Binnie				Copilot:	Siebold
Objectives:
Continued engine, ECS and avionics evaluation. Simulated wheel brake failure landing rollout.
Results:
Conclusion: aircraft can be landed at MHV if a wheel brake fails. More engine irregularities at high altitude. Engines removed and sent to test cell for fuel control calibration and adjustments.

Flight		15
Date:	6-Nov-03				Flight Time:	2.4 hours
Pilot:	Siebold				Copilot:	Binnie
Objectives:
Continued engine, ECS and avionics evaluation. High-rate nose wheel steering assessment.
Results:
Difficulty maintaining afterburner on left engine near 50,000 feet. Improved ECS configuration showed improved resistance to fogging. Nose wheel steering gearing change about the same.

Flight		14
Date:	24-Oct-02				Flight Time:	0.3 hours
Pilot:	Siebold				Copilot:	Shane
Objectives:
FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating".
Results:
Rating issued

Flight		13
Date:	24-Oct-02				Flight Time:	0.3 hours
Pilot:	Binnie				Copilot:	Siebold
Objectives:
FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating".
Results:
Rating issued

Flight		12
Date:	24-Oct-02				Flight Time:	0.3 hours
Pilot:	Melvill				Copilot:	Shane
Objectives:
FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating".
Results:
Rating issued

Flight		11
Date:	24-Oct-02				Flight Time:	0.3 hours
Pilot:	Shane				Copilot:	Melvill
Objectives:
FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating".
Results:
Rating issued

Flight		10
Date:	17-Oct-02				Flight Time:	1.1 hours
Pilot:	Siebold				Copilot:	Binnie
Objectives:
SpaceshipOne boost profile and steering capture practice. Simulated SS1 glide approaches.
Results:
SS1 simulation good up to at least ~ 70 degree flight path angle.

Flight		9
Date:	17-Oct-02				Flight Time:	2.2 hours
Pilot:	Binnie				Copilot:	Siebold
Objectives:
Boost phase pilot training. Formation flying and air-to-air photography with the Proteus aircraft.
Results:
Adequate visibility and satisfactory flying qualities for formation flying. A photo from this flight later appeared on the cover of Aviation Week (21Apr03 issue).

Flight		8
Date:	16-Oct-02				Flight Time:	1.6 hours
Pilot:	Melvill				Copilot:	Binnie
Objectives:
Envelope expansion above 50,000 feet and 0.55M. Avionics software upgrade. Practice SpaceShipOne glide approaches
Results:
Climbed to 53,000 feet and 0.53M in Military power. Cleared the full required envelope needed for SpaceShipOne launch operations. Flying qualities at highest altitude are satisfactory and will not require dampers. Window fogging not an issue until the cabin was depressurized at 10,000 feet.

Flight		7
Date:	10-Oct-02				Flight Time:	3.0 hours
Pilot:	Shane				Copilot:	Binnie
Objectives:
Completion of Flight 6 objectives. Airspeed and altitude envelope expansion, 45,000 feet / 160 knots / 0.5M
Results:
No structural damping issues found. Engine operation satisfactory. Some window fogging on descent. Some degradation of pneumatic actuators due to cold soaking. Insufficient dihedral effect at high speed/high altitude.

Flight		6
Date:	09-Oct-02				Flight Time:	0.9 hours
Pilot:	Shane				Copilot:	Binnie
Objectives:
Evaluate rudder mass balance modifications. Effectiveness of engine bleed air heating of the fuselage aft of the cabin (first test of SpaceShipOne Nitrous heating system).
Results:
Rudder vibration problem resolved. Flight cut short due to suspected over-temp of aft cabin bulkhead from engine bleed air.

Flight		5
Date:	06-Sep-02				Flight Time:	2.0 hours
Pilot:	Binnie				Copilot:	Shane
Objectives:
New pilot qual eval. Envelope expansion out to 45,000 feet and 160 knots / 0.5M. Practice SpaceShipOne glide approaches. Effectiveness of new tail vortex generators and clipped outboard speed brakes.
Results:
The new VGs eliminated the high-altitude rudder dead-band. Encountered undamped rudder vibration at 25,000 feet and 160 knots during flutter envelope expansion. Engine flameout at 45,000 feet. Un-safe main gear indication for landing (a microswitch adjustment). Clipped otbd speed brake showed no change.

Flight		4
Date:	27-Aug-02				Flight Time:	2.5 hours
Pilot:	Siebold				Copilot:	Shane
Objectives:
New pilot qual eval. Envelope expansion out to 35,000 feet and 150 knots / 0.4M and 3 G's. Engine relight performance. Avionics software upgrade.
Results:
Experienced a rudder dead-band (poor centering) at the higher altitudes. Dihedral effect is neutral at higher speeds. Window fogging on descent. Numerous flight director attitude display resets.

Flight		3
Date:	19-Aug-02				Flight Time:	2.8 hours
Pilot:	Melvill				Copilot:	Shane
Objectives:
New pilot qual eval. Envelope expansion out to 25,000 feet and 150 knots. First flight with the cabin pressurized for environmental control system tests .
Results:
Satisfactory handling and performance. Buffet barriers determined for inboard and outboard speed brakes. Significant window fogging experienced after cold soak at altitude.

Flight		2
Date:	05-Aug-02				Flight Time:	1.5 hours
Pilot:	Shane				Copilot:	Siebold
Objectives:
First flight test card repeat. Flying qualities assessment and basic performance evaluation. Avionics and pneumatic systems evaluation. Cabin un-pressurized.
Results:
Envelope expansion to 15,000 feet and 140 knots. Overall satisfactory stability, good control harmony and impressive performance. Heavy airframe buffet at high speeds with both sets of speed brakes deployed. "Best airplane the company has ever built"

Flight		1
Date:	01-Aug-02				Flight Time:	0.2 hours
Pilot:	Shane				Copilot:	Siebold
Objectives:
First flight. Handling qualities assessment and basic performance evaluation. Systems evaluation. Cabin un-pressurized.
Results:
Un-commanded hammering auxiliary spoiler deployments after takeoff. Flight aborted to downwind for an uneventful landing. No apparent flying qualities issues noted. Auxiliary spoilers were disabled for future flights.

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