Descent.
- Head restraint [8, fig. 4-3] – EXTENDED (down position).
- If necessary, use the speed brakes [3, 34, fig. 3-1] to reduce the speed of the aircraft during descent. To open or close the speed brakes, press " / " on your keyboard as desired (the speed brakes can also be opened, closed and adjusted by using the speed brake handles [13, 14, fig. 5-4] on the left console).
- Pull the joystick SMOOTHLY to perform a 5-G to 7-G pullout to level flight at about 70,000 to 60,000 feet, after reentry.
Caution
- The speed brakes on the X-15 aircraft were not designed for use as a low-speed drag device. Their design function was to provide the necessary drag conditions for control of the airplane at supersonic speeds and relatively high altitudes.
- The X-15 possesses a very low lift-drag ratio. After the engine is shut down, the aircraft would come down fast and steep. Because of the high rate of descent and the reduced stability at low Mach numbers, the speed brakes are not to be used at full deflection below Mach 1.5.
On selected aircraft:
- No. 1 ballistic control switch [18, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
- No. 2 ballistic control switch [27, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
See also:
Speed Brake System
The X-15 Experience
