>
>CENTURION FIRST FLIGHT SUMMARY (C98-1)
>
>This morning, Tuesday, November 10,1998, at 7:02 AM PST, the Centurion
>aircraft took off from Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base for
>its maiden flight. In an essentially perfect first flight, the Centurion
>completed its entire planned flight card, and made a "textbook" landing on
>runway 18 at 8:24 AM. This check-flight cleared the way for a
>demonstration planned for the press and distinguished visitors next week
>at Dryden. Except for slightly more down trim required than expected,
>there were no anomalies with any of the systems tested.
>
>Under a beautiful sunrise, pilot Greg Kendall first applied about 80% of
>level flight power to test lateral controls in a "high-speed" taxi. After
>determining the Centurion controllable in this axis, he then increased
>power to just over what was required to fly. Passing through 24 fps, the
>two outer landing gear lifted off the runway, followed by the two inboard
>gear at about 27 fps. Greg applied nosedown trim to achieve a minimum
>planned flight speed of 30 fps. After climbing to about 50 feet above the
>ground, he then selected automatic airspeed hold.
>
>A series of tests were accomplished which expanded the flight envelope to
>34 fps, turns up to 3 degrees per second, climb and gliding power
>settings, drag modes, and all autopilot functions, including automatic
>navigation under loss of link. The Centurion demonstrated excellent
>symmetry and control in the lateral axes, a testimony to the quality of
>the construction. The Centurion also exhibited excellent stability,
>flying much like its Pathfinder predecessor. A total of 10 frequency
>sweeps, in the lateral and longitudinal axes, were completed during the
>flight, and preliminary analysis indicated excellent stability and control.
>
>Powered by batteries only, the Centurion flew with the large chord
>propellers and all 14 motors intended for flight to 100,000 feet. It also
>carried a 150 pound anvil attached to the center section, to demonstrate
>one of multiple payload carrying locations. Video pictures were
>downlinked from all four of Centurion's onboard cameras, and AV's
>standard, "Lisoski Turbulence Meter" payload was flown. A new,
>trailerable dolly system was proven, reducing the number of handlers
>required for maneuvering the aircraft and its vulnerability to winds on
>the ground.
>
>Excellent support before and during the flight by the NASA Dryden Flight
>Research Center helped us to succeed. During the flight NASA's range
>safety and control team helped us resolve airspace coordination with the
>Air Force and the FAA. NASA weather forecasters both helped in predicting
>calm and stable conditions, and assisted in real-time monitoring and
>forecast updates during the flight. NASA range support personnel helped
>provide transport for the chase crews and minimized intrusion into the
>test and landing area. Of course, the NASA ERAST Program Office supplied
>the funding and management oversight that allowed us to reach this point
>in the program.
>
>All in all, it was an excellent day. Mike Dornheim (of Aviation Week
>magazine) and Ray both noted that it was probably the most trouble-free
>first flight either had seen. Congratulations to the Centurion team, and
>all who helped enable them to perform such quality work. Dan Goldin, the
>dream is alive..... give us the solar array, and we'll give YOU 100,000
>feet!!