Aircraft Operation and Procedures
How do I take off and fly my X-15A-2 SE addon?
Can I use "CTRL+E" to start the engine?
Why are some of the aircraft systems reset when a new X-15A-2 SE aircraft is loaded?
Why is my X-15A-2 SE addon moving on the runway at the beginning of a new flight?
Why can't I reach the maximum speed/altitude?
The landing gear won't retract. What do I do?
Some switches in the virtual cockpit don't work when clicked on. Is this an issue?
There was no autopilot in the real X-15. The SAS in not working properly. Why?
I experience extremely low frame rate while flying the X-15A-2 SE addon. Is this normal?
I can't turn on the aircraft lights. Where are the switches?
I can't see the tooltips in the virtual cockpit. What's wrong?
The basic autopilot functions cannot be engaged. Am I missing something?
Why are some basic autopilot functions causing unwanted oscillations at high speed and altitude?
The GPS receiver and the radio-magnetic indicator don't work. Did I forget something?
I can't see a thing. Why are the windows covered with dirt?
All the necessary information to fly the X-15A-2 SE addon is in the documentation. There are two sets of instructions: a detailed set, which contains the entire procedures involved in a real X-15A-2 flight (perfect for X-15 fans, beginners and more advanced desktop pilots alike), and a condensed set called "quick-start procedures", for those who want a shorter check list.
If this were not enough, the X-15A-2 SE addon can now be started automatically at the touch of a single "magic" red button, so anyone can take off quickly and easily and fly the beast.
The engine can now be started automatically at the touch of a single "magic" red button.
No. The simulator's autostart command ("CTRL+E") should not be used to start the X-15A-2 engine. For a quick start, use the automatic ignition sequence start button [76, fig. 5-1], located on the main instrument panel, instead. This is similar to pressing "CTRL+E" with conventional aircraft. However, the red button initiates all X-15A-2 rocket aircraft systems, including the special three-propellant fuel management system. Refer to "Custom Fuel Management System" for more information.
Only some systems are reset, but not all. This is because the X-15A-2 addon uses its own proprietary internal variables in addition the simulator's variables. Unfortunately, due to software limitations, these custom variables are not memorized by the simulator between flights. If the panels appear "frozen" after a new aircraft was loaded while in flight, simply end the current flight and start a new flight with the new X-15A-2 aircraft. Note that the correct initialization and ignition sequence procedures (including pressing the "magic" red button, if preferred) must be performed before flight each time a new X-15A-2 aircraft is loaded in the simulator.
This is not likely to happen in this software version, however if it does, simply end the current flight and start a new flight with a new X-15A-2 aircraft. Note that the correct initialization and ignition sequence procedures (including pressing the "magic" red button, if preferred) must be performed before flight each time a new X-15A-2 aircraft is loaded in the simulator.
While highly improbable in this software version, if such effects are visible, do the following procedure to turn off the unwanted effects:
Refer to "Special Visual Effects" for more information.
This should not happen in this software version. Should you encounter this issue at the beginning of a flight, here are a few tips:
By default, the simulator loads the previously saved (or default) flight with the engine of the aircraft running and the parking brake released. In the case of the X-15, it takes a split second for the simulator to "realize" that the rocket aircraft has not been serviced with the necessary propellants and to shut off the engine automatically. Because of the power of the mighty XLR-99 (and the rocket boosters on the X-15AD-4), the initial split second of thrust is enough to move the aircraft along the runway.
(Did you know? The XLR-99 engine's second-stage igniter phase by itself produced 1500 pounds of thrust on the real aircraft.)
To avoid this problem, we recommend loading one of the saved flights included with the X-15A-2 SE addon as a "template" for a new flight. This has the advantage of presetting all X-15 internal systems to off and preventing the rocket plane from moving by itself on the runway at the beginning of a flight because the engine was running with the parking brake released in the previous flight, in the last saved flight or in the default flight.
As an alternative, you can also create a new flight with a single-engine stock aircraft (one that comes with the simulator), turn off the engine ("CTRL+SHIFT+F1") and set the parking brake ("CTRL+.") . Replace the aircraft with the X-15A-2 SE and go to Edwards Air Force Base (or any other runway of your choice) and save this flight under a different name. Simply load this saved flight (or make it your default flight) each time you want to fly the X-15A-2 SE.
If this happens, make sure the parking brake is set ("CTRL+") before starting the igniter-idle phase (on some simulation platforms).
(Did you know? The XLR-99 engine's second-stage igniter phase by itself produced 1500 pounds of thrust on the real aircraft.)
This is due to the immense power of the three engines combined and to some limitations in the simulator. The igniter-idle phase is in reality the jet engine starting phase that generates enough thrust to move a small aircraft like the X-15 on the runway if the parking brake is not set.
If you are using Flight Simulator X, make sure you have the latest version and that the Acceleration Expansion Pack is installed. Refer to "Minimum System Requirements".
The maximum speed of the X-15A-2 SE addon is limited by the simulator to approximately Mach 4.65 on all current platforms. Refer to "Aircraft Reference Information (X-15A-2)".
The X-15A-2 SE addon will allow you to reach an altitude of over 300,000 feet on all simulation platforms.
At the time of publication, rocket engines and ballistic control for rocket airplanes were still not supported in either Microsoft® Flight Simulator X or Lockheed Martin® Prepar3D®. Your simulation platform still sees the X-15A-2's XLR-99 engine, and the solid rocket boosters on the X-15AD-4, as jet engines. Rocket-propelled flight is therefore not 100% accurate in the simulator although we tried our best to emulate it as much as we could in the flight model, considering the present limitations. We sincerely hope that all simulation platforms will offer support for rocket engines (and ballistic control) in the near future.
Because aerodynamic control surfaces become less and less effective above about 125,000 feet in the simulator as dynamic pressure decreases, we recommend flying the X-15A-2 addon below 200,000 feet. The simulator will still give you limited control at high altitudes, but flying will become more challenging.
Note that the highest altitude attained by the real X-15A-2 rocket plane was 249,000 feet (August 3, 1966) and that most high speed flights were performed at even lower altitudes.
We found that the best way to complete a ballistic trajectory at high altitude is to level off and maintain heading after the engine is cut off. Eventually, the aircraft will lose altitude until the control surfaces become effective again. Refer to "The X-15 Experience" for some advice about flying the X-15A-2 SE addon or review the "Normal Procedures".
By default, the addon will switch automatically to the virtual cockpit view when the aircraft is loaded at the beginning of a new flight. If you still cannot see the virtual cockpit, make sure you are in the virtual cockpit view ("F9" on your keyboard). The X-15A-2 SE has no 2D cockpit. Try cycling the different views by pressing the "S" and "A" keys on your keyboard until you get the virtual cockpit view. Refer to "Full-3D Virtual Cockpits" for details.
We suspect your landing gear was damaged during takeoff from the ground because of the strong acceleration (the X-15 is equipped with a powerful rocket engine). The landing gear must be retracted as soon as the aircraft is airborne to avoid it being damaged by excessive speed. Resetting the flight should correct the problem or simply select the "Ignore crashes and damage" option in the simulator's "Settings - Realism" page. Refer to "Compatibility, Performance and Settings" and "Simulation Platform Initial Settings" for more information.
The exhaust plume effects are properly positioned. This is a simulator issue on some platforms. We've noticed the same thing depending on the view and the zoom level. Fortunately, it's not always noticeable.
The special visual effects (engine flames, contrails, APU exhaust, etc.) included with your X-15A-2 SE addon should look like the ones shown on the product page and in the documentation.
For reasons that are sometimes hard to define, special effects appearance may vary from system to system, depending on many factors including your simulation platform, your frame rate, your version of DirectX®, your view aspect ratio and your graphics hardware and settings. If, after trying different settings (see "Compatibility, Performance and Settings"), you are still not satisfied with the effects on your system (for example, they are too big or too small), try replacing the special effect files.
Visit the "Downloads" section on our website and download the Special Effects Package. Try the different effects by copying them to your "... simulator name\Effects" folder. Read the instructions included with the Special Effects Package.
The special effect engine was changed from CPU to GPU with the release of Prepar3D version 2. This has the advantage of freeing computer resources and improving performance on high-end graphics hardware. The X-15A-2 SE special visual effects were upgraded to conform to the Prepar3D v2 specifications. While the new P3Dv2 particle effects are visually identical to the FSX/P3Dv1 effects, there is a simulator issue affecting extrusion effects that still needs to be resolved. Until then, extrusion effects such as engine contrails, wing vortices and vaportrails, APU exhaust and propellant jettison effects at high speed and altitude may appear sawtoothed, wrongly oriented, faded, with repeating arrow patterns. This is normal until a fix is made available.
For other reasons, we noticed a similar issue in FSX: Steam® Edition, to a lesser degree. This is normal until a fix is made available.
Please note that these issues are now resolved in the new addon version for Prepar3D® v4.
Refer to "Special Visual Effects" for more details and options.
Nothing is wrong. The SAS pitch, roll, yar and yaw caution lights [1-4, fig. 5-2] are amber caution lights that should be ON when the function switches [5-6, 8-9, fig. 5-2] are at OFF and go out when the switches are at ON. Refer to "Stability Augmentation System Controls and Indicators" for details. Note that this applies to most caution lights in the cockpit, except the RAS function lights [10, fig. 5-4] on the left white control box.
No. Refer to "How to Activate the Switches, Buttons, Knobs and Levers". Make sure you have a wheelmouse (refer to "Minimum System Requirements").
Reload the flight. Make sure you are in the virtual cockpit view ("F9" on your keyboard). Do not press "CTRL-E" to start the engine! Read "Custom Fuel Management System".
It sometimes occurs that the view point in the virtual cockpit was adjusted too far back and lays inside the pilot seat's backrest, rendering the switches unclickable. When this happens, simply move your view point forward a little.
Now press (click) the "magic" red button [76, fig. 5-1] located on the main panel. Be patient, watch the gauges and switches moving and the engine should start automatically in a few seconds.
If you decide to follow the normal procedures or the quick-start procedures, you must make sure that the engine is priming (prime switch [56, fig. 5-1] must stay in the middle position, not at OFF or down position, after being clicked) and that the turbopump is operating before attempting to fire the engine. If the prime switch cannot be turned ON and then spring released to its middle position, something has been done improperly in the previous steps.
When the engine is priming, the green ignition ready light [2a, fig. 5-1] on the left side of the main panel should come ON.
Once the engine is priming, press the turbopump button [54, fig. 5-1] once to start the turbopump. When the turbopump is operating, the propellant manifold pressure gauge [51, fig. 5-1] should indicate between 300 to 450 psi (this means that the propellants are fed to the engine).
Then turn the igniter-idle switch [53, fig. 5-1] to ON (up position) to fire the spark plugs and ignite stages one and two. The chamber 2 pressure gauge [50, fig. 5-1] should now indicate between 150 to 300 psi and flames should be seen in the main chamber.
Then, when the throttle is moved inboard to START or 50%, the main chamber should fire.
One of the best ways to learn about the complex ignition sequence of the X-15 is to follow the quick-start procedures one by one and watch what happens to the pressure gauges after each switch is clicked.
Note: Circuit breakers on the right console are fully functional in the X-15A-2 SE addon. The circuit is closed when the breaker is pushed in. The circuit is open when the breaker is pulled out. Make sure all breakers are pushed in for proper aircraft operation.
We know. This is a software limitation in both FSX and Prepar3D® v1. It is no longer an issue in Prepar3D® v2 and later. The flaps seems to work according to specs on all simulation platforms.
We know. However, we thought that our users would appreciate a steerable nose gear on their new addon.
We know. While there is no X-15-type stability augmentation system available in Microsoft® Flight Simulator X or Lockheed Martin® Prepar3D® (except perhaps for yaw damping), we thought it would be a good idea to provide our users with the basic autopilot modes offered in the simulator instead. The X-15A-2 SE addon contains a modified SAS panel [48, fig. 5-1] with the basic autopilot controls for altitude hold, wing leveling, attitude hold and yaw damping modes. These controls are described in the "Stability Augmentation System Controls and Indicators" section.
We know. However, we thought that our users would appreciate a retractable landing gear on their new addon, especially during (fictitious) takeoffs from the ground...
No. Refer to "Compatibility, Performance and Settings".
Also, we noticed that sometimes, for no apparent reason, the frame rate would drop significantly at the beginning of a new flight in FSX. We believe this to be a simulator issue. If you didn't experienced slow rate issues with the X-15A-2 SE addon before, reset the flight. If the issue is not resolved, refer to "Compatibility, Performance and Settings".
Yes and no. This is the normal "hog calling" like noise of the X-15 rocket engine being shut down by the addon's special systems. So why was the engine fired in the first place? Because the simulator has the bad habit of starting the engine when positioning the aircraft in mid-air with the map or with the slew commands. In the case of the X-15, which requires special procedures to start the engine, this isn't a good idea. So that's why the addon needs to shut down the engine, which produces this unique sound. This has no other impact on the simulation.
Some modern solid fuel rocket boosters can be extinguished after they are fired. We know however that this is something the type of boosters installed on the AD-4 could not do. But we needed to provide a way to shut them off to go around the simulator's bad habit of starting the engines when positioning the aircraft in mid-air with the map or with the slew commands. This is why the boosters will shut down if the throttle is moved outboard to OFF.
To re-ignite the boosters after they were shut down, you will need to move move the igniter idle switch to OFF, then back to IGNITER. When the throttle is moved inboard to START 50%, the three engines will fire, including the rocket boosters.
The XLR-99 is a rocket engine. Except inside the turbopump, it has no rotating parts. So the sound is very different from one would expect from a jet aircraft engine. According to X-15 pilot Milt Thompson, the XLR-99 engine "...had a very distinct banshee-type sound that was instantly recognizable… from the rumbling of the ignition sequence through the main chamber light off to the peculiar hog calling like noise of the shutdown". Low frequency noise, rumble and acoustic shock waves were added to the basic sound effect for more realism in the simulation. The "hog calling" like sound upon engine shutoff is an authentic recording of the real XLR-99 engine shutting off. The only whining sounds you will hear in the simulation are those from the engine turbopump, the APUs and the gyroscopes in the stable platform.
There were no external lights on the real X-15 aircraft. The X-15A-2 SE addon uses available aircraft lights and systems, provided by the simulator, to display special visual effects instead. The only lighting system installed on the X-15 are the cockpit lights that can be turned ON or OFF with the cockpit lighting switch [39, fig. 5-1].
If you can't see the tooltips in the virtual cockpit, make sure the "Show cockpit tooltips" option is selected in your simulator's display settings. Refer to "Compatibility, Performance and Settings".
The SAS power switch (autopilot switch) [78, fig. 5-1] must be at SAS ON and the avionics must be turned on for the basic autopilot functions to engage. Refer to "Stability Augmentation System Controls and Indicators". To turn on the avionics, turn the radio on by moving the radio function selector switch [1, fig. 5-8] to the right. If the radio function selector switch is set to OFF, the avionics is turned off and the autopilot is disengaged. Refer to "Radio Communication and ADF Controls" for more details.
We noticed that some of the simulator's basic autopilot functions such as "wing leveler" and "altitude hold", when engaged, induce unwanted oscillations at very high speed and altitude (instead of helping the pilot). Unfortunately, we have no other solution at this time but to recommend disengaging these functions when such behavior is encountered until a fix is found.
Make sure the avionics is turned on before using the radio-magnetic indicator and/or the GPS. To turn on the avionics, turn the radio on by moving the radio function selector switch [1, fig. 5-8] to the right. If the radio function selector switch is set to OFF, the avionics is turned off and both the GPS and the RMI won't work. Refer to "Radio Communication and ADF Controls" for more details.
The "dirt" is normal ablator residues resulting from the heat generated during high speed flight on selected aircraft. If you forgot to close the eyelid before a high speed flight, you can right-click the eyelid handle to clean ablator splatters from the windows. Refer to "Miscellaneous Equipment".