Service Panel
The X-15A-2 SE service panel in the upper left section of the center pedestal.
In the real world, propellants and gases were loaded onto both the B-52 carrier and the X-15A-2 by ground personnel before each flight. During captive flight (while the rocket plane was attached to the B-52 and gaining altitude), the X-15A-2 internal liquid oxygen tank was topped off from the carrier airplane supply.
To simulate the complex servicing of the X-15A-2 rocket plane, both from the ground and from the B-52 carrier, a simplified (fictitious) service panel is provided.
The service panel is located in the upper section of the center pedestal in the virtual cockpit.
Servicing the X-15A-2 SE addon is achieved by the click of a single button on the service panel. The service panel also includes an external power switch to provide electrical power from an external source before takeoff or launch, an external tanks option switch and an unlimited fuel option switch.
The service panel, on the center pedestal, provides AC and DC electrical power from an external source to the X-15A-2 SE addon before the APUs can be turned on. This simulates electricity being supplied to the X-15A-2 from a ground receptacle or from the NB-52 carrier.
Moving this two-position switch [22, figure 5-3] to ON supplies power from an external source to the X-15A-2. Moving the switch to OFF cuts off external power.
Whenever power is applied to the X-15A-2 SE addon from an external source, the green external power light [23, figure 5-3], on the service panel, comes on. The light is powered by the external DC power source.
Note: The press-to-test lights in the cockpit can be tested by pressing (left-clicking with the mouse) the light housing. Left-clicking with the mouse a second time will return the light to its normal operating state.
The express fill button [24, figure 5-3], on the service panel, is provided for filling all the tanks in the X-15A-2 SE addon, including the external tanks and rocket boosters, with the necessary propellants, fuel and gases in a single step. The button is powered by the battery bus.
Note: Tanks can only be filled if the vent, pressurize, and jettison lever [11, fig. 5-4] is at VENT.
This amber light [25, figure 5-3], on the service panel, comes on whenever one internal or external tank is empty. The light, powered by the primary DC bus, should come off after servicing.
Note: The press-to-test lights in the cockpit can be tested by pressing (left-clicking with the mouse) the light housing. Left-clicking with the mouse a second time will return the light to its normal operating state.
An external tanks option switch [26, fig. 5-3], on the service panel, is provided for choosing whether or not the X-15A-2 external drop tanks are installed. The external tanks provide an additional 1053 gallons of anhydrous ammonia and 770 gallons of liquid oxygen which corresponds approximately to an additional 60 seconds of engine burn time.
Make sure this switch is set to INSTALLED for true X-15A-2 operation (external tanks on).
The external tanks option switch cannot be set if the propellant tanks are pressurized (vent, pressurize, and jettison lever [11, fig. 5-4] not at VENT).
Note: External tanks are emptied when the external tanks option switch is moved to NOT INSTALLED, then back to INSTALLED. Tanks will need to be refilled (refer to "Express Fill Button" above).
In a typical X-15A-2 mission, a normal burnout occurs after approximately 90 seconds (no external tanks) to 150 seconds (external tanks installed) of XLR-99 engine operation, after the propellants are exhausted.
Although, by default, it is possible to simulate this condition, an "unlimited fuel" option switch is provided, on the service panel, to allow for unlimited-duration burns. Simply turn the two-position switch [27, fig. 5-3] to ON if you wish to use this feature.
Note: As long as the engine master switch [63, fig. 5-1] is set to OFF, the fuel consumption can be reset to normal at any time by returning the unlimited fuel option switch to the OFF position. The switch position cannot be changed if the engine master switch is set to ON.
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