NOTE:
RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Scaled Composites White Knight was used primarily to carry rocket propelled vehicles from under its belly to high altitudes from where they were launched into space. It was also used as a research vehicle.
On September 29 and October 4, 2004 the SpaceShipOne rocket vehicle was launched from the White Knight to win the Ansari X Prize competition.
Flying the White Knight quickly reveals the utilitarian nature of the aircraft. The cockpit is accessed through a round opening on the aircraft's port side. The minimally padded seating is more like a go cart than an airplane. You are just inches above the floor of the aircraft, with the rudder pedals in front of, rather than beneath you.
Visibility out of the aircraft is minimal, through small round windows around the cockpit. Taller pilots must lower their heads in order to see sufficiently outside the aircraft in order to taxi.
Although the aircraft engines have afterburners, most maneuvering is done without them in order to conserve fuel. Even without full power, during takeoff the White Knight gets up to its 98 mph rotation speed quickly and climbs at about 3,000 f.p.m.
At lower altitudes and higher temperatures the White Knight is responsive to control inputs while exhibiting good directional stability. However, at higher altitudes and in cooler air, the control wires of the aircraft contract, causing a need for much more force to be exerted for maneuvering.
The White Knight uses glider like spoilers extending above and below the trailing edge of the wing to provide a controlled descent of up to about 5,000 f.p.m. The aircraft also has flaps for use during final approach.
The minimal visibility through the windows of the White Knight again comes into play while landing. The pilot must constantly swivel his head to see out of the windows in order to know the position of the aircraft relative to the runway.
The White Knight carried SpaceShipOne aloft a total of 17 times from August 2003 through October 2004 during which the rocket aircraft was successfully launched 14 times. Thereafter, through 2006, it was used to launch the Boeing X-37 Orbital Test Vehicle, and also to perform research. The White Knight has since been replaced by a somewhat similar, larger aircraft called the White Knight II.
Pictured above and first below is the rc White Knight by Jivaro. It has a wingspan of 96" with a length of 40" and a weight of about 4 1/2 lbs. Power comes from a pair of GWS 64 EDF units.
The bottom picture is of the rc White Knight built by Foam Flyer of RC Groups. It has a wingspan of 54" and weighs 27 oz. Power comes from a Speed 400 type motor turning a pusher prop.
White Knight
