X-15A-2 SE virtual cockpit during preflight checks (Prepar3D® v2 screenshot).

Important

• A wheelmouse is required to actuate the 3-position switches. Refer to "Minimum System Requirements".

• It sometimes occurs that the pilot's viewpoint is adjusted too far back and lays inside the pilot seat's backrest, rendering the switches unclickable. When this happens, simply move your viewpoint forward a little.

• Some switches must be activated in a logical, predetermined order or sequence to function. If not, the switch is simply disabled and will not respond to mouse clicks. If a switch refuses to operate normally, please revise the previous procedures and make sure that all the required steps have been performed in the correct order. These switches are:

1. The external drop tanks option switch [26, fig. 5.3] on the service panel section of the center pedestal - can only be moved if the vent, pressurization, and jettison lever [11, fig. 5.4] on the left white control box is at VENT.

2. The unlimited fuel option switch [27, fig. 5.3] on the service panel section of the center pedestal - cannot be moved when the engine master switch [63, fig. 5.1] on the main panel is at ON.

3. The igniter-idle switch [53, fig. 5.1] on the main panel - cannot be moved if the engine turbopump is not running.

Preflight Checks

For the following procedures, it is assumed that external power is supplied to the aircraft (external power switch [22, fig. 5-3] set to ON) and that the X-15 internal and external tanks are filled. Refer to "Servicing the Aircraft" for details.

Note: You can hide the center stick for a better access to the center pedestal controls by clicking the center stick boot [9, fig. 4-1].

1. Parking brake (if released, takeoff only) – APPLIED ("CTRL+." keys).

Left console, seat and wing panel:

1. Trim control switch [1, fig. 5-4] – CENTER.
   
   
2. Intercom switch [2, fig. 5-4] – OFF.
   
   
3. Face mask heater switch [3, fig. 5-4] – OFF.

4. Jettison trim switch [4, fig. 5-4] – OFF.

5. Vent suit heater switch [6, fig. 5-4] – OFF.

6. Pressure suit ventilation knob [4, fig. 5-4] – CLOSED.

7. Radio function selector switch [1, fig. 5-8] – OFF.

8. Tank jettison circuit breakers [1-2, fig. 5-6] – OFF/OPEN (aft).

9. External tanks jettison auto-manual switch [3, fig. 5-6] – MANUAL.

10. External tanks jettison safe-arm switch [4, fig. 5-6] – SAFE (guard down).

11. External tanks jettison buttons [5-6-7, fig. 5-6] – Check all (normal).

12. Fuel selector switch [8, fig. 5-6] – EXTERNAL.
    
    
13. Speed brake handles [13-14, fig. 5-4] – CLOSED (forward).
    
    
14. Wing flap switch [9, fig. 5-4] – UP.

15. Alternate SAS switch [16, fig. 5-4] – OFF (guard down).

16. RAS (amber) indicator lights [10, fig. 5-4] – Check all OFF (RAS functions are off)..
    
    
17. Vent, pressurize, and jettison control lever [11, fig. 5-4] – VENT. On a real mission, the vent valve on the internal ammonia tank is manually closed before flight to prevent losing ammonia during captive flight (when the X-15A-2 is attached to the B-52 carrier). When the vent, pressurize, and jettison control lever is placed in the PRESSURIZE or JETTISON position and then back to VENT, the ammonia vent valve will then be open.

18. Throttle [12, fig. 5-4] – OFF.

19. SAS (land) disengage switch [77, fig. 5-1] – OFF.

20. SAS (autopilot) power switch [78, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
    
    
21. Jettison stop switches [59, fig. 5-1] – STOP. Check that all three switches (LOX, H2O2, and NH3) are in the STOP position.
    
    
22. Auxiliary launch switch [60, fig. 5-1] – OFF (guard down).
    
    
23. Ventral jettison button [67, fig. 5-1] – Check (normal).
    
    
24. Landing gear handle [65, fig. 5-1] – NORMAL for takeoff.

25. Eyelid handle [6, fig. 4-3] – FORWARD (eyelid open).

26. Oxygen selector and gauge (on the left side of the seat) [18, fig. 4-2] – B-52, check (3000-3200 psi).

Main instrument panel:

1. Ignition-ready (green) light [2a, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
   
   
2. 23-second caution (amber) light [2b, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
   
   
3. Idle-end caution (amber) light [2c, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
   
   
4. Valve malfunction caution (amber) light [2d, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
   
   
5. Stage 2 igniter malfunction caution (amber) light [2e, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
   
   
6. Turbopump overspeed caution (amber) light [2f, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
   
   
7. Engine vibration malfunction caution (amber) light [2g, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
   
   
8. Fire-warning (red) light [47, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
   
   
9. Helium release selector switch [1, fig. 5-1] – OFF.

10. Propellant emergency pressurization switch [68, fig. 5-1] – OFF.

11. Ammonia tank pressure-low caution (amber) light [66, fig. 5-1] – ON (tank is not pressurized).

12. Liquid oxygen tank pressure-low caution (amber) light [70, fig. 5-1] – ON (tank is not pressurized).
    
    
13. Propellant (helium) source pressure gauge [69, fig. 5-1] – Check (both internal and external tanks, 3300 to 3700 psi).
    
    
14. Engine master switch [63, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
    
    
15. Engine reset button [62, fig. 5-1] – Check (normal).
    
    
16. Engine precool switch [61, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
    
    
17. Engine prime switch [56, fig. 5-1] – STOP PRIME (DOWN).
    
    
18. Turbopump idle button [54, fig. 5-1] – Check (normal).
    
    
19. Igniter idle switch [53, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
    
    
20. Propellant tank pressure gauge [71, fig. 5-1] – Check (liquid oxygen or “L” pointer, 0 to 5 psi; ammonia or “A” pointer, 0 to 10 psi).
    
    
21. Propellant pump inlet pressure gauge [72, fig. 5-1] – Check (both pointers, 0 to 10 psi).
    
    
22. Fuel line low caution (amber) light [64, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
    
    
23. H2O2 (helium) source and purge pressure gauge [57, fig. 5-1] – Check (both internal and external tanks, 3000 to 3700 psi).
    
    
24. H2O2 tank and engine control line pressure gauge [55, fig. 5-1] – Check (“C” pointer, 575 to 615 psi; “T” pointer, 0 psi).
    
    
25. Propellant manifold pressure gauge [51, fig. 5-1] – Check (both pointers, 0 to 10 psi).
    
    
26. H2O2 compartment-hot caution (amber) light [58, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
    
    
27. Chamber and stage 2 igniter pressure gauge [50, fig. 5-1] – Check (both pointers, 0 psi).

28. Pilot's O2 low caution (amber) light [6, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.

29. External tanks jettison ready indicator (amber) lights [4, fig. 5-1] – Check both OFF.

30. External tanks fuel flow indicator [4, fig. 5-1] – Check (both pointers, 0%).
    
    
31. SAS pitch function switch [5, fig. 5-2] – STD BY.

32. SAS roll function switch [6, fig. 5-2] – STD BY.
    
    
33. SAS test switch [7, fig. 5-2] – Check OFF (middle).
    
    
34. SAS yar function switch [8, fig. 5-2] – STD BY.
    
    
35. SAS yaw function switch [9, fig. 5-2] – STD BY.
    
    
36. SAS caution (amber) lights (four) [1-4, fig. 5-2] – Check all ON (SAS functions are off).

37. Alt SAS switch [11, fig. 5-2] – OFF.

38. Alt SAS on (green) light [10, fig. 5-2] – Check OFF.

39. RAS pitch function switch [13, fig. 5-2] – OFF.

40. RAS roll function switch [14, fig. 5-2] – OFF.
    
    
41. RAS yaw function switch [15, fig. 5-2] – OFF.

42. RAS auto cutoff switch [16, fig. 5-2] – OFF.

43. RAS out (amber) light [12, fig. 5-2] – ON (RAS functions are off).

44. Retractable pitot handle [80, fig. 5-1] – IN.

45. Skylight hatch open (amber) light [73, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.

46. Automatic ignition sequence start button [76, fig. 5-1] – Check (normal).

47. Ready-to-launch switch [52, fig. 5-1] – OFF.

48. Engine timer [11, fig. 5-1] – RESET.

Main instrument panel (flight instruments):

1. Accelerometer [8, fig. 5-1] – Reset and check.
   
   
2. Altimeter [3, fig. 5-1] – Set.
   
   
3. Attitude indicator [9, fig. 5-1] – Set.

4. Side-slip selector (delta psi) switch [12, fig. 5-1] – STANDBY.

5. Pitch angle set control [16, fig. 5-1] – +0.00.

Main instrument panel (electrical, hydraulic, and cockpit):

1. Emergency battery switch [23, fig. 5-1] – OFF (guard down).

2. Hydrogen peroxide transfer switch [24, fig. 5-1] – OFF.

3. No. 1 generator-out (amber) light [20, fig. 5-1] – Check ON (generator not in operation).
   
   
4. No. 2 generator-out (amber) light [25, fig. 5-1] – Check ON (generator not in operation).
   
   
5. Generator (AC) voltmeter [22, fig. 5-1] – Check (both pointers, 200 volts, external).
   
   
6. No. 1 and No. 2 generator switches [21, 26, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
   
   
7. APU No. 1 switch [17, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
   
   
8. APU No. 1 warning and caution lights [28, 29, 31, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
   
   
9. No. 1 ballistic control switch [18, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
   
   
10. No. 2 ballistic control switch [27, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
    
    
11. APU No. 2 warning and caution lights [28, 29, 31, fig. 5-1] – Check OFF.
    
    
12. APU No. 2 switch [30, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
    
    
13. APU (helium) source pressure gauge [45, fig. 5-1] – Check (both pointers, 3300 to 3900 psi).
    
    
14. APU H2O2 pressure gauge [44, fig. 5-1] – Check (both pointers, 0 psi).
    
    
15. Hydraulic pressure gauge [13, fig. 5-1] – Check (both pointers, 0 psi).
    
    
16. Clock [46, fig. 5-1] – Check and set.
    
    
17. Mixing chamber temperature gauge [42, fig. 5-1] – Check (approx. ambient temperature).
    
    
18. APU bearing temperature gauge [43, fig. 5-1] – Check (approx. ambient temperature).
    
    
19. Cabin (helium) source pressure gauge [40, fig. 5-1] – Check (3300 to 3900 psi).
    
    
20. Cabin pressure altimeter [41, fig. 5-1] – Check.

Center pedestal (service panel):

1. External power switch [22, fig. 5-3] – ON.

2. External power (green) light [23, fig. 5-3] – Check ON.

3. External tank option switch [26, fig. 5-3] – ON.

4. Unlimited fuel option switch [27, fig. 5-3] – ON or OFF (your choice).

Center pedestal (research instrumentation panel):

1. Auxiliary pneumatic and control (helium) pressure gauge [21, fig. 5-3] – Check (3000 to 3700 psi).

2. Data switch [1, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

3. Data (amber) light [2, fig. 5-3] – Check OFF.

4. Calibrate button and (green) light [3, fig. 5-3] – Check (normal).

5. Physiological instrumentation switch [4, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

6. Blood pressure switch [5, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

7. Ball nose power switch [6, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

8. Ball nose test button [7, fig. 5-3] – Check (normal).

9. Telemeter master power switch [18, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

10. Telemeter commutator motor switch [17, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

11. Telemeter FM switch [8, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

12. Skylight hatch switch [19, fig. 5-3] – OFF (skylight hatch closed).

13. Star tracker switch [20, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

14. Instrumentation master power switch [15, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

15. Radar beacon switch [14, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

16. Stable platform instrument switch [10, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

17. Tape recorder power switch [9, fig. 5-3] – OFF.

18. Cockpit ram-air knob [11, fig. 5-3] – OFF (in)

19. Ram-air lever [16, fig. 5-3] – OPEN.

20. DC voltmeter selector switch [13, fig. 5-3] – BUS or STRAIN GAGE (select for testing).

21. DC voltmeter [12, fig. 5-3] – Check (28-volt bus, or 24-volt strain gauge/battery bus).

Right console and wing panel:

1. Canopy emergency release handle [32, fig. 5-1] – IN.
   
   
2. Stable platform switch [33, fig. 5-1] – OFF (guard in place).
   
   
3. Nose ballistic rocket heater switch [34, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
   
   
4. Ventral arming switch [35, fig. 5-1] – DE-ARM (guard down).
   
   
5. Cockpit lighting switch [39, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
   
   
6. Indicator, caution, and warning light test switch [38, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
   
   
7. Fire-warning light test button [37, fig. 5-1] – Check (normal).

8. Windshield heater switches (two) [36, fig. 5-1] – OFF.
   
   
9. Canopy internal handle [1, fig. 5-5] – FORWARD and LOCKED (canopy closed).

10. Windshield antifogging (yellow) handle [2, fig. 4-3] – CLOSED (vertical) position.

11. Windshield purge (gray) handle [3, fig. 4-3] – CLOSED (vertical) position.

12. All breakers on the breaker panel – PUSHED IN (closed).

13. Pressure-cooling lever [9, fig. 5-9] – OFF (aft position).

14. Blower switches [10, fig. 5-9] – OFF (middle position).

15. Cabin helium source shutoff valve switch [11, fig. 5-9] – OFF.

16. APU nitrogen cooling switch [17, fig. 5-9] – OFF.

17. Alternate cabin pressurization switch [27, fig. 5-9] – OFF.

See also:

Servicing the aircraft