STS-1 Chase Footage

[denverpilot]

Nice compilation.

 

[Racerx]

Now that's gliding like a brick.

 

[Shepherd]

With a glide ratio of 1 to 1, that there is energy management at it's finest.

 

[jrollf]

Ever see the Shuttle Training Aircraft?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttle_Training_Aircraft

To simulate the Space Shuttle Approach NASA took a Gulfstream II, modified it so the thrust reversers could be used in flight with the main landing gear down for extra drag and the flaps could be deflected UP to further reduce lift. Astronauts used it to train how to land the Shuttle.

To match the descent rate and drag profile of the real Shuttle at 37,000 feet (11,300 m), the main landing gear of the C-11A was lowered (the nose gear stayed retracted due to wind load constraints) and engine thrust was reversed. Its flaps could deflect upwards to decrease lift as well as downwards to increase lift.

 

[skyking3286]

Nice to know he lands on the left side of the centerline too!

 

[denverpilot]

Just having to say “Chase coming aboard, 30,000...” would be a very cool day at work. LOL.

 

[eman1200]

I didn't see the 'follow me' golf cart

 

[denverpilot]

I didn't see the 'follow me' golf cart

Weren’t any Signatures back then. LOL

 

[Sluggo63]

Control: “Winds on the surface are calm.”

Columbia: “My kinda winds.”



A pilot after my own heart.

 

[kath]

Was anyone else shrieking inside their own heads: "gear?.......... gear?............ gear?............ GEAR??!!?.......... OHMYGODGEAR!!!..... OK, there it is."

 

[denverpilot]

Was anyone else shrieking inside their own heads: "gear?.......... gear?............ gear?............ GEAR??!!?.......... OHMYGODGEAR!!!..... OK, there it is."

They held off on the gear until very late because it was a one way shot. Once it's down it can't be retracted.

(And if it didn't come down you were truly effed anyway... Ha... And you're always committed to landing... Hehehe.)

 

[Maxnr]

Just asking...If the PIC/Spacecraft Commander has logged 9 previous landings in the sim and logs this one, for a total of 10, and a DPE observes the OK arrival and landing, can he then be issued a glider add-on to his FAA certificate? The other crew members on board should not count against the flight being "solo".

 

[denverpilot]

Was anyone else shrieking inside their own heads: "gear?.......... gear?............ gear?............ GEAR??!!?.......... OHMYGODGEAR!!!..... OK, there it is."

Ram across this. For STS-1 thru STS-4, gear extension was predicated on airspeed.

They wanted to be slowed to 270 knots before extension.

https://aviation.stackexchange.com/...ntil-50-feet-above-the-ground-before-they-put

The quoted documents also describe how they were driven down. Yay pyrotechnics! Ha.

 

[denverpilot]

The fun starts on this one at 3 hours 57 min into the video.

 

[denverpilot]

By the way ...

Earlier in the audio/day 3 the controllers told Young and Crippen they were surprised that the TACAN receivers locked up on multiple stations while on orbit at 250 miles. They noticed it first on Channel 111 over St Petersburg. Astronauts replied they wondered why they were seeing nav lockups intermittently.

There was also a stuck HSI heading ring on Day 2 that cleared up by Day 3 on John Young’s side. Avionics. Yay.