|
Author
|
Topic: Rockwell pilots and shuttle acceptance tests
|
JBoe
Member Posts: 960
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
|
posted 01-02-2017 11:00 AM
   
I was wondering, were there any Rockwell International representatives or company test pilots on board the space shuttle acceptance trials or approach and landing tests (ALT)? |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 01-02-2017 11:15 AM
Only two ejection seats on Enterprise, so it would have been carried uncrewed or had one of the two NASA astronaut ALT crews on board. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 960
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
|
posted 01-02-2017 11:22 AM
Hart, thanks for the clarification. I didn't know if there were any "advisors" onboard (maybe on the SCA) or designated company test pilots involved. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 01-02-2017 07:14 PM
Actually I'm having lunch Thursday with the retired USAF test pilot who went to work for Rockwell and selected the 747 they used (and a couple of other test pilots). He was on board for a couple of the flights pre-ALT (transitioning to NASA pilots), but I think the Boeing test pilots checked out Fitz and McMurtry prior to ALT and went back to Seattle.I can certainly ask Bob Thursday. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 960
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
|
posted 01-03-2017 03:39 AM
Thanks for the information and thanks for asking when you meet with them! |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 01-03-2017 09:25 AM
The shuttle wasn't an aircraft where company pilots test it before turning it over to the customer. It was a spacecraft and like others before, NASA astronauts performed or supported testing. quote:
Originally posted by albatron:
...and selected the 747 they used.
NASA selected the 747 and contracted Boeing for the mods. Rockwell didn't have any part in managing the SCAs. NASA used the 747 for other tests before converting it to an SCA. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 01-04-2017 09:56 AM
George Bosworth, a NASA flight engineer who served on the investigation board for Neil Armstrong's Lunar Landing Research Vehicle crash in May 1968, was the space agency's representative who delivered the check for NASA905 to American Airlines and who worked with Boeing to modify it to carry the space shuttle. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 01-04-2017 08:11 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Behling:
Rockwell didn't have any part in managing the SCAs.
Actually that is not accurate, Dennis Jenkins sent me the following, he has copies of the original paperwork of the sale from his research on the shuttle book: NASA contracted with Rockwell for the SCA as part of contract NAS9-14000 (the basic shuttle contract). Rockwell (actually Bob Mosley, who was a drop pilot during the X-15 program) negotiated the purchase of N9668 from American in NASA's name (the bill of sale lists NASA as the purchaser but it was accomplished on Rockwell purchase order M4M8XMA-860041). Rockwell contracted with Boeing for the modifications of what became N905NA. So Rockwell was central to the effort. I also have a copy of the sheet signed by Boeing representatives T.A. Buck and Herbert Anderson (I think that's the signatures; Rockwell representatives, Bob Mosley and Paul O'Donnelly (I think that's the signature) of the SCA/Orbiter Certificate of Release/Acceptance for Test Flight; along with SCA pilot Fitz Fulton and Enterprise commander Fred Haise accepting them for NASA.If anyone wishes a copy please feel free to email me. It's not the best quality but certainly readable. Bob Mosley shared a great anecdote about this form and the sign over. But again, if anyone wants to articulate some questions, I'll be happy to ask him tomorrow. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 01-06-2017 10:30 AM
OK Here's what Bob had to say yesterday:There were no Rockwell reps or test pilots on board for the acceptance trials or ALT flights. Only Fitz and McMurtry, as well as six to eight members of the Boeing instrumentation. The checkout on the 747 was done by American Airlines pilots, Boeing was not involved in that, but they did do the mod's (internal and external). The checkout was pre-modifications. Fitz and McMurtry did the post mods flights. Hope this help! |
Redglare
Member Posts: 12
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Nov 2010
|
posted 01-06-2017 04:39 PM
JSC didn't have much time to use the money they had available when they found the 747. Glen Bailey who worked for JSC procurement at the time arranged for Rockwell to buy the 747. Rockwell did so at no fee to JSC. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 960
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
|
posted 01-06-2017 09:18 PM
Thanks guys for the great details, very much appreciated! |
advertisement