Jul 20 1977
From The Space Library
WFC announced it would receive this week the first of two rotor-systems research aircraft (RSRA) for contractor flight tests. Sikorsky Aircraft, which would conduct the tests, had designed the RSRA (a joint project of NASA and the U.S. Army) to fly as a regular helicopter, as a compound helicopter (both rotors and wings), or as a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. As the RSRA's engines or wings were changeable, NASA planned to use it as a "flying wind tunnel" for trying out various rotor systems: articulated, hingeless, or gimbaled, or with variable geometry, variable diameter, or controllable twist. (WFC Release 77-7; NASA Release 77-149)
NASA announced that LeRC, under the agency's general aviation turbine engine (GATE) program, had awarded study contracts totaling $300 000 to 4 different companies for using in small lightweight planes with less than 1000hp the advanced turbine technology used in large commercial aircraft. The companies were Teledyne Corp.; Garrett AiResearch; Detroit Diesel Allison; and Williams Research Corp.
LeRC spokesman Bill Strack said most engines in the light-aircraft class (reciprocating engines of less than 400hp) dated from 10yr ago and lacked the advantages of turbines: reduced vibration and noise, less maintenance, lighter weight, and greater safety and reliability. The large production base existing for piston engines might make it hard to produce small turbine engines cost-effectively, he said. (NASA Release 77-147)
NASA announced it would conduct the third "manned inert" flight of the Space Shuttle orbiter Enterprise on or about July 26 at Dryden Flight Research Center. At the controls of the orbiter atop its Boeing 747 carrier would be astronauts Fred W. Haise and Charles Gordon Fullerton, making their second piggyback run in this test series. They had made the first captive flight June 18; the second, on June 28, had Joe H. Engle and Richard Truly as pilots.
In the first flight, lasting 56min, Haise and Fullerton had checked out the orbiter flight controls at low altitude and low speed. For the third test, the 747 would carry the orbiter to an altitude of 7895 meters (25 905ft) where it would "push over" in a practice separation; the orbiter and 747 crews would go through all the motions except actual separation. The flight would be a dress rehearsal for the first free flight of the orbiter, scheduled on or about Aug. 12. (NASA Release 77-146; JSC Release 77-41)
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