Pilot Reveals What It’s Like to Land Space Shuttle By Hand

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Hey guys - as mentioned in the video, you can join my new Insiders Newsletter at airplaneacademy.com/insiders for a once per week email with an important aviation lesson I've learned and how it can help you, links to my latest content, and behind the scenes!

[@jasontipton8430]

lol I love when you asked him if he was proud and he was like yeah and I have the two best landings spoken like a true test pilot

[@vtwinwild1]

This description of a pilot getting back into gravity was... just... incredible!!!

[@SteveKuznetsov]

What an incredible interview! Your questions are so well crafted, and Tom's energy is just amazing.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks! He is awesome.

[@Fleetwoodjohn]

You can tell this guy is genuinely excited to tell his story and I think it’s awesome

[@mcahill135]

Michael P. Anderson Astronaut Mission specialist was a former KC-135 instructor pilot. He stated that the shuttle simulator flew an awful lot like the KC-135A/R. Pitch and yaw inputs were crisp and light, but very sluggish in aileron control. That accurately describes the KC-135.

[@csehakos3486]

I could have watched and listened to it for another 3-4 hours easily. Thanks for the great interview.

[@williamcase426]

Love that long form content

[@freedomforever6718]

This entire interview was fantastic. Thank you.

[@PatrickAndrewsMacphee]

As a european, this man represents the America that I grew up believing in.

[@wthrfish]

as an american, me too.

[@MDE_never_dies]

Indo Euro Peon

[@F-Man]

As an American, this man is the best of America - and there are others like him still out there. We’re down and being kicked right now, but we’re not dead yet.

[@Oldguynotbald]

This is the best interview for this subject matter I have seen to date. Love all of the human elements to it. Great Job!!!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much!

[@Freq412]

Tom breezed through the vestibular physiology issues during the transition back to gravity. I'd like to hear much more about this. Flying by sole reference to the instruments, avoiding vertigo, recovering from such events. It's all so fascinating and it's amazing that a shuttle pilot can even handle this.

[@brax2364]

First, I have not yet viewed the video because I’m curious how my experience compares to the video. Years ago I was an Active Duty USAF officer and had an opportunity to fly Shuttle Full Motion Simulator (FMS) at JSC. A Captain that worked for me had trained to be an instructor for the Space Shuttle the USAF planned to launch out of SLC 6 at Vandenberg. We were at JSC for a payload integration meeting and the Captain called Susan Crippen (Bob Crippen’s daughter) who was an instructor at JSC and asked if she had any scripts that she needed warm bodies in the seats to do script validation (I think she called them “MALS”.) and react to indications to ensure the programming presents correct indications before presenting to an astronaut crew. My USAF job at the time manifesting payloads on the Shuttle gave me the opportunity to know what did what on the flight deck but up until then I had only seen the NASA publications on paper. At the first landing I was in the PLT (aka co-pilot) seat and Ralph asked me to drop the gear. The orbiter did not have a standard gear knob I’m used to so as I was looking for it, Ralph told me to pull the gear knob located on the panel next to my right knee. It’s been many years so my memory may not be exact but here’s what I remember: We boarded the sim and then Susan kicked it back in launch configuration so we were on our backs in the seats. Initially I was in the PLT seat and Ralph was in the CDR seat. remember the graphics coming up and looking out at the tower and could see the coast nearby. Then it was lift off and shake rattle and roll but not much. Not long into the launch Susan failed our center SSME and depending on when that happens and your energy you have three possible choices: RTLS, AOA, or ATO. You can look those up. We practiced lift-off malfunctions for a bit, took a break and then I got to be in the CDR position for re-entries. At the time the Shuttle was still using “steam gauges” as it had not yet been upgraded to a glass flight deck. I remember it defaulted to auto and if you wanted to fly it manually you had to de-select the roll and pitch tiles on the glare shield. I remember the HUD with critical info and remember the challenge to keep the piper in the box. I remember the S turns and remember turning the HAC (heading alignment cylinder). When you turned the HAC I think we were at 55,000 ft(?) and lined up with the runway at the Cape. The Orbiter glides like a streamlined safe. I do not remember the glide angle but it was a hell of a lot steeper than the normal 3 degree glide slope of a standard ILS approach. When I’m flying a typical approach at 3 degrees the runway threshold at a 3 mile final is out there in front of me. In the Orbiter the threshold was like if you were siting in your kitchen chair normally, the threshold would be about between your feet rather than out in front of you. I remember following the pipper in the box keeping the orbiter on a stabilized approach. I was surprised at how nimble it was on pitch. It flies like more like a fighter and is very sensitive to pitch. I remember a pre-flare maneuver and then I think I crossed the runway threshold at 250 kts? From there it was like flying any airplane. Keep it centered on the runway, head out of the cockpit, and ease it down as the airspeed bleeds off. Careful on the pitch at final flare or you’ll have a body flap strike on the runway. Not good. Then, on the brakes and get it stopped. I had the opportunity to do several approaches and landings. I did not realize that Susan was printing off hard copies of my landings. After about the third one she started complementing me. We were in the sim most of the night and early morning - several hours flying the sim. This was probably one of the coolest things I ever did during my USAF career. I currently fly my Piper Cherokee and can’t help remember once upon a time…

[@LloydieP]

Thanks for that! As with this interview, I'd thoroughly enjoy listening to stories like that, from people like yourself. Cheers!

[@rodgerharrison5911]

Excellent interview. As an old pilot, I admire your approach to this interview. Your humility brought out the best in Tom Henricks. You hit a home run, and for that reason, I subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks so much! Really kind of you.

[@jamessimon3433]

Really cool to see an actual shuttle veteran get excited and eager to share their wisdom

[@Wholeenchilada12]

Congrats on a great set of interview questions and sitting back and giving your guest space to answer. Well done!

[@mrjaycam18]

I need Tom to write a book. This interview was absolutely incredible. Thanks again for sharing it with us.

[@mrloop1530]

I love that we get to see the shuttle in the background. Brings back memories. Great interview.

[@robertjones8598]

The pre flair wasn’t addressed but that was my favorite part of the shuttle landings, when they’d slam on the brakes just before touchdown. I think that was performed around 2000 AGL and had to be one of the most critical pilot controlled inputs during the landing phase.

[@almosh3271]

Part one and tow, was one of the best, and most informative interviews I've ever watched. Two thumbs up and job well done !!!!!

[@mbiehl2]

Excellent interview! Tom is full of enthusiasm and knowledge. The questions asked where on point and thoughtfully crafted. Excellent job!

[@jeffk1482]

Flaws and all, anyone else still miss the Shuttle? What a badass piece of machinery…

[@mrjohnklake]

I am an only child and I felt like I had lost a sibling after the fact. The emotions about the Shuttle were so intense and powerful that I still tear up every time I see the Atlantis movie Welcome Home on KZbin. So incredibly beautiful.

[@flybywire5866]

If only it didn't have the problem with the falling off insulation

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

I miss it for the excitement of sending more than a few astronauts at a time. It surprises me that it didn't evolve into a more sustainable way to space- I blame Congress and politicians (same thing I suppose) . Other than that, it was an amazing program 👍

[@mrjaycam18]

Absolutely. The shuttles the only reason I ever learned to fly. I’ll miss it forever.

[@JimboJimmy-i2u]

The shuttle really wasn’t flawed it was the politics and people in charge of the program that were flawed, if you watch the challenger documentary they pretty much knew that it was a disaster waiting to happen, they were made aware of the problems with the heat shielding and the problems with the srb’s numerous times months before the launch, they went ahead with it anyway to keep up appearances and avoid looking bad

[@mpfogle]

Well done Charlie!!! I was enthralled listening to Tom..such infectious enthusiasm !

[@gamaloun4442]

It’s so amazing to see how all passionate pilots are so much alike! Thank you for an amazing interview. Loved it and loved the practical questions. Thank you gents

[@vito9674]

I haven't yet seen such a precise and entertaining interview full of great questions and insight that only professional space travellers can give us and answer ! Kudos to the interviewer and Astronaut for this informative interview ! 👍⭐

[@genericfakename8197]

What a remarkable career and a remarkable man. Been to space and back multiple times, has a family and grandkids. More accomplished than most can hope for, been there and flown that, and the passion for flight is still shining bright. Lovely interview.

[@gracelandone]

Good stuff. Thanks for bringing us this. I don’t know how the interview was arranged, but I have to believe that your credibility as a serious aviator had something to do with it. The joy just rolls off this man.

[@evcarney]

Very good interview. One of the most insightful interviews with an astronaut I’ve watched.

[@Gr8ca9]

Hey Tom! I was a ControlProp instructor at the SMS and got to work with you. Great memories. Great interview.

[@nicholashylton6857]

One weird thing is that Buran (the Soviet Union's Space Shuttle) was able to land autonomously after its single unmanned trip into orbit. It was left to rot when USSR collapsed.

[@BlackHawkBallistic]

If you look at the history of the Soviet space program they were less risk averse than the US. Heck look at how the first space walk nearly killed their cosmonaut, a space suit ballooning requiring depressurization and allowing overheating to the point of heatstroke wouldn't fly in the US

[@nicholashylton6857]

@@BlackHawkBallistic Notoriously, the Soviets were "less risk averse" about _everything._ It surprises me a bit that they put in the effort into building a more capable shuttle, instead of their usual MO of building half-@ssed & rushed replicas of Western technology.

[@BlackHawkBallistic]

@@nicholashylton6857 very true, the Soviets did hyper focus on some things like landing in Venus so maybe Buran was a similar scenario?

[@mikelastname]

What a great interview. Thanks Tom for sharing so many interesting things about the human side of space flight and continuing with STEM.

[@360vision]

You're a natural at this, my friend. Very bright and personable - you'll go far!

[@FrowningIke]

Easily one the most absorbing things I've ever watched! I could have listened to him all day. His enthusiasm and excitement for his passion will clearly never wane! I was commenting on an interview with a former Concorde pilot the other day. I used to live and work in Kew, West London in the early 2000's. The landing path for Heathrow occasionally was directly over my house. About 2 minutes before it appeared overhead you heard it and knew Concorde was coming. It was SO LOUD!! Also, I worked at the National Public Records offices in Kew. It houses every important historical document in the UK. One day a guy came in, doing a personal project, researching a subject and requested copies of the documents. On his credit card I noticed " Captain" and said "Oh you're a pilot? What do you fly"? "Concorde"! He said! I was suddenly starstruck! He might as well have been an astronaut! I would have loved to heard Tom's thoughts on Concorde.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Very cool! That would have been fun seeing (and hearing) it land in person. Thanks for sharing.

[@FrowningIke]

@@AirplaneAcademy Words can't do it justice. It just looked and sounded like nothing else. Everytime it came in, people just stopped what they were doing.

[@Dcscockpit]

What fantastic interviews these two videos, and what a genuinely enjoyable man to watch answer questions. Thank you!

[@brettokok]

I could have listened to you guys all day. Thanks!

[@PilotVolunteer]

Absolutely excellent interview! Incredible sharing of experiences, both on Earth and home!

[@larrybremer4930]

I have never considered the vertigo that would result from spending time in zero G, that in turn would affect your seat of the pants piloting on reentry. Great Info.

[@LloydieP]

Yeah, that bit hit me. All the interviews and books, yet I'd never heard about that. Seems obvious now. Great interview.

[@jmtaviation1975]

Well done sir, home run on both of your videos. More great questions, and what a cool person to answer them 👍

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you!

[@steini6771]

Greetings from Norway. This was just great! Thank you both -

[@Johnwashere-dt2ov]

Great interview, great questions and responses. I am an electrical engineer now in my senior years and have followed space missions (manned and unmanned) basically all my life. But I never heard about the impacts of zero gravity on re-entry to space shuttle pilots. Just astonishing that the pilots could land the space shuttle each and every time.

[@ACME_Kinetics]

There's a shuttle landing simulator at the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo. I'd love to see a review of it from a shuttle pilot. I've heard it "flies like a brick" but bricks seem to have more predictability. I was the last person on a busy Saturday and had the best landing of the day - on easy mode. The crosswind aspect on hard mode is essentially impossible. There's a medium mode I didn't try because some kids were in line. (So I tried the lunar lander sim which isn't exactly a walk in the park either.) I was hungover so I could get closer to the real experience after time in 0g... yeah that's why. If anyone visits southern NM the museum is maybe just shy of Wright-Patterson or the National Air and Space Museum - but not by much. Plan on most of a full day if you're a space nerd.

[@Good13man]

Wow! Awesome interview. Extremely interesting!

[@buckshot59]

Great questions and an overall riveting interview. Thanks for the work you put into this.

[@KevinSmithAviation]

Incredible part 2 Charlie. Thank you for all you do. Keep up the excellent work. Safe skies my friend 🇺🇸🛩️

[@Heres_Johnny.]

Ok, I really like him. What a great guy! And your interview skills are top notch. Nice job.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! Tom is great.

[@ef2111]

Thank you for doing this. Absolutely amazing interview.

[@mygreenmtns1749]

Excellent interview. Super interesting. Thanks very much.

[@rnichol22]

The bit about eyes is just insane

[@upsman7247]

Great interview. Love to hear more astronaut interviews or other notable aviators?

[@dougstitt1652]

Another great listen. Yes gifts from the grand kids are cool.

[@grizzyb4149]

Amazing individual and great interview. Thanks

[@larrybremer4930]

A good landing is one that you can walk away from and a great landing is when the aircraft will fly again.

[@alfonsopayra]

Awesome interview! thanks!!

[@MrJamesjustin]

Great videos mate. Nicely done.

[@jrhalabamacustoms5673]

Wonderful interview! Thank you both!

[@larrydugan1441]

Very interesting. Thanks

[@lght5548]

Great questions. Well done Charlie 👍

[@DouglasLippi]

Very interesting interview and great questions 👍

[@evanm6739]

10,000 Vertical speed is wild

[@vtownhood]

Before I even finish the video, landing the Space Shuttle was one of the most complicated things to do in the history of aeronautics. Massive respect for him.

[@darrenorange2982]

You are the most thoughtful host asking these amazing questions. I really would love to see you interview more Astros and also Elon.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you! I appreciate that. Think I'm a long way away from getting Elon's attention :)

[@Prestonesfpv]

This interviewer is just so damn good at it 👍👍👍

[@treezy2x31]

Great intv

[@t1000eg]

Amazing pilot.. the way he explained using the keyboard in zero gravity made me feel like I was floating in space incredible..

[@JohnMcKenna-vq7zh]

Thank you! This is incredible.

[@gcm747]

I never stopped to think about the physical effects of coming back in to gravity at the same time the pilot was trying to conduct an approach and landing. To have to turn the brain ‘back on’ to register the body working under its own weight again is nuts.

[@BilTheGalacticHero]

Great interview

[@odarge]

what a kind and interesting man… !

[@whatupguys1]

"It pitches like a fighter and rolls like a heavy airplane" is a wild thing to hear.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Very interesting guy. I was on the design team of the A380

[@DinoAlberini]

“…during “brig your dad to work day” they didn’t want to see an astronaut, they wanted to see a fireman” 😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@pauldutcher9105]

I wish Elmo Holts name was more well known. He was the project Director. I happened to have him as a college professor.

[@MrBenkix]

I’ve met Tom at Hanger Hotel (Buddy Holly Dance)- he is the nicest guy!

[@riddepk]

it was an unbelievable tool this space Shuttle !!!!!

[@williamcase426]

What a badass landing the shuttle

[@cnvi08]

What type jet is that in background?

[@Darling-xy9qp]

Fascinating !!!

[@dmo5962]

Such a cool, down-to-Earth guy! I don't drink, but to have a few beers with him! From the era that a pilot was need it to go to space... the reason that got me started in aviation, too bad I never got to go to space. Going out to buy a lottery ticket to see if I can buy my way to it!!!😂😂😂

[@francisbeaudry8598]

frome quebec very nice interview

[@kamba6447]

So insightful… 👍🏽

[@trevors6379]

Why don't they have magnetic shoes like in Face/Off?

[@CascadiaAviation]

Very cool!

[@howardcroft3748]

The question I've always wanted answered was who actually had their hands on the controls during approach and landing? Was it the pilot or the commander? What were the roles of each during landing?

[@SeligTiles]

Plenty of yt tubes that show hud view with comms of real shuttle launches and entries.

[@kiverix]

The comander is the actual pilot flying the shuttle and the "pilot" is essentially the copilote

[@thatguy7085]

Like landing a Gulf Stream jet with engines out… and reversers on in the air.

[@evanm6739]

Ever since seeing space shuttle as a kid I’ve wanted to be a pilot

[@TheGbelcher]

Did he say 10k ft/min? I did 2,500 ft/min last week in a jet after flying over weather. The deck angle was borderline uncomfortable for passengers. 10k ft/min must feel like straight down.

[@TagiukGold]

Interesting details

[@27july1954]

Or how to land a brick?

[@mildlemon7866]

"Remember, you can always go around!" Oh, uhm, wait...

[@bigshot9557]

My wife’s best friend bought a house next to this guy you would think it would be all expensive and fancy but it was just a normal two story home I was waiting to see him everytime I went to get a autograph for my kids but I never saw him

[@redbaron9029]

Buran would have landed autonomously

[@The-KP]

Good interview, but the Shuttle can and did land itself. From launch through landing, it had a fully capable autopilot system -which got used at every phase. Pilots had the option of taking over the controls once the vehicle went subsonic. But up to then, while it was hypersonic, there was no point in having a human pilot at the controls, conditions change faster than humans can react.

[@okankyoto]

STS-2 was the only one that was all manual.

[@thatguy7085]

The vertigo training needs to be pushed more for all pilot training.

[@SuprSBG]

As someone who went to space camp and was commander in my sim mission, holy FRICK that thing is hard to fly

[@stevenPounder-p4b]

I think it would be unsettling to feel your brain’s fire control group loose stabilization mode during landing.

[@KC-nd7nt]

Drive my car with my wife's mother in the 3rd row and I've heard this resembles the " Ass Heavy " aerodynamics of the glider in atmosphere

[@andrewmaclean9810]

God damnit, I wish I made better decisions when I was younger so I could have set myself up and studied harder to become an astronaut. What I wouldn't give to get to go to space. Oh well. Cessna aren't a half bad consolation prize!

[@MithilanchalMadhubani]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@vandalorian8777]

He made a strange statement (paraphrasing) they were coming down so fast that at 40,000 feet if they dropped a skydiver, the shuttle would land before the skydiver did. That can’t be correct. The math doesn’t add up

[@aafjeyakubu5124]

If terminal velocity of a human is about 8,200 feet per minute and the shuttle is descending at 10,000 feet per minute, how does that not "add up"?

[@LloydieP]

Makes perfect sense. Shuttle obviously has less (relative) drag than a skydiver. I've had planes overtake me in free-fall, after I've jumped out of them. Granted, it's weird to look down and see that plane landing underneath you, but the maths works.

[@vandalorian8777]

@@aafjeyakubu5124 10,000 ft per minute equals 113 miles per hour. Terminal velocity for a skydiver at 40,000 feet is 240 miles per hour.

[@jondavey5407]

A steerman?! Hahaha. Complete 180

[@tonytramonti5828]

Didn’t know Alec Baldwin worked for NASA

[@winngh]

My career choice I never got to achieve. 😢