The Smell of Kerosene: A Test Pilot's Odyssey - NASA Research Pilot Stories, XB-70 Tragic Collision, M2-F1 Lifting Body, YF-12 Blackbird, Apollo LLRV Lunar Landing Research Vehicle

by Donald L. Mallick, Peter W. Merlin

This official NASA history document - converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction - is the fascinating account of the life of Donald Mallick, a NASA research test pilot. This book puts the reader in the pilot's seat for a "day at the office" unlike any other. It recounts the tragic 1966 mid-air collision with the XB-70; describes flights of the lifting body and YF-12 blackbird, and details work with the Apollo Lunar Landing Research Vehicle.The Smell of Kerosene tells the dramatic story of a NASA research pilot who logged over 11,000 flight hours in more than 125 types of aircraft. Donald Mallick gives the reader fascinating firsthand descriptions of his early naval flight training, carrier operations, and his research flying career with NASA and its predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).Mallick joined the NACA as a research pilot at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory at Hampton, Virginia, where he flew modified helicopters and jets, and witnessed the NACA's evolution into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.After transferring to the NASA Flight Research Center (now NASA Dryden Flight Research Center) at Edwards, California, he became involved with projects that further pushed the boundaries of aerospace technology. These included the giant delta-winged XB-70 supersonic research airplane, the wingless M2-F1 lifting body vehicle, and the triple-sonic YF-12 Blackbird. Mallick also test flew the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) and helped develop techniques used in training astronauts to land on the " I was onboard an airliner, on 28 January 1986, when I heard the news that the Space Shuttle Challenger had exploded 73 seconds after launch that morning. Even knowing the complexity and risk involved in Shuttle operations, I was shocked by the news. The shuttle commander, Dick Scobee, had been an Air Force test pilot at Edwards and flown a number of research missions at NASA Dryden. I grieved for all the crew, but especially Dick, who I knew best. I can still recall his broad grin when he visited the Dryden pilot's office following the announcement of his selection as an astronaut. He showed great pride in his selection, and I congratulated him heartily. The results of the accident review board were hard to accept. The commission that investigated the accident blamed the Shuttle loss on poor management decisions. Challenger had been launched against the recommendations of knowledgeable technical personnel who insisted that low temperatures that day increased the chance of hot gas leakage around the seals of the solid rocket boosters. The commission found that the decision making process leading to the launch was flawed and that launch temperature constraints were waived at the expense of flight safety. It was a black day for NASA. I could sense a change in people's attitude concerning the space program. After the Challenger accident report was released, the public's pride in and respect for NASA diminished. At Dryden, we had always striven not to allow the desire to "get a flight off" to interfere with good judgment on flight safety. It was a cardinal rule. There were occasions when visiting Headquarters personnel and other VIPs were on hand to witness a test flight and we had to cancel the event due to some technical problem. We forced ourselves to avoid the desire to "press on" just to meet a schedule or impress a visiting VIP."

Genres: Space, Naval History, History, Nonfiction

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Cindy Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I'm always fascinated and amazed at first had accounts of history. Being a fan of both history and aviation, this book held my attention the entire time. I can see rereading this in the future.

[Yukiko K Pool · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the vest aviation books ever.

And I have read them all. I was very sorry to see this book end. Thoroughly tremendous. Fascinating, readable, well edited. Just the best.

[Marty Teramani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book

A very interesting and detailed account of a long career as a test pilot. No B.S., just the straight facts.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. For anyone interested in what flight test is really like, I recommend Mr. Mallack's book. This is the real story of the "right stuff."

[Spad53 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I like most to read about is, pilots who flew unusual aircraft and are good enough at writing to let me experience it, in perfect safety. This book does that in spades.
Highlights are XF8U-3 Crusader III, YF-12 and XB-70, with lots of lesser stars in-between, there is also a good deal about space research.
I'd say you need to be aviation or possibly space enthusiast to enjoy this one, but if you are, wow!

[Buzz Nau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the laid back writing style sued by the author. The material was interesting and covered in ways that were easy to follow and stay engaged. The problem I've had with several books of this genre is the tendency to go too deep in the weeds with detail that doesn't matter to the majority of readers. I felt this book had the perfect balance.

[Rod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly recommended for anyone interested in aviation, especially of a technical nature. The author flew over 100 different aircraft, including the XB-70 and the SR71 as a research pilot.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow pace compared to the bios of combat pilots, but intellectually interesting for the aviation, NASA, and Mach 3+ crowd.

[Robin Horth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and exciting first hand look and feel into the life and challenges of a test pilot

[Denis · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the writing was generally uninspired, the content was interesting as it followed the author's career as a NASA test pilot.

[Sid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for pilots, written by a pilot.

[Anthony Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read!

Picked this one as I read another test pilots book, this one is equally entertaining. This guy has had a very interesting career.