Siebold
Siebold, Pete American test pilot, engineer, at Scaled Composites.
Educated Cal Poly.
SCALED COMPOSITES OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY (June 2004)
Peter Siebold is an Aeronautical Engineer, Experimental Test Pilot, and Flight Test Engineer at Scaled Composites, LLC. Pete holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo and has been working at Scaled since 1996. Pete is a Design Engineer specializing in Avionics and Data Acquisition Design and Development. He was responsible for the development of the Simulator, Avionics/Navigation System, and Ground Control System for the SpaceShipOne Program.
Flight Experience:
- 17 years of flight experience
- 2000 hours in 35 different fixed wing aircraft
- Holds FAA Commercial ASEL, AMEL, Commercial Glider, instrument airplane certificates
- Holds FAA Flight Instructor ASEL, AMEL, instrument airplane certificates
- Member of the Aircraft Owners' and Pilots' Association
- Member of Experimental Aircraft Association
- Associate Member of The Society of Experimental Test Pilots
- Participated in the flight testing of the following:
- VisionAire Vantage Model 247 prototype
- Proteus Model 281 prototype
- Adam Model 309 prototype
- Toyota TAA-1 prototype
- Scaled Model 318 White Knight
- Scaled Model 316 SpaceShipOne
More... - Chronology...
Associated Countries
See also
Associated Programs
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X-Prize The X-Prize competition was an attempt to promote commercial civilian spaceflight in a manner similar to the prizes handed out in the early days of aviation. Ten million dollars was to go to the first team to fly a vehicle capable of launching three people into space (defined as an altitude of 100 km in a suborbital trajectory), twice in a two-week period. The vehicle had to be 90% reusable by dry mass. For purposes of the two flights, the competition accepted flight by one person and ballast equivalent to two others at 90 kg per passenger. The flights had to be completed before the end of 2005. More...
Siebold Chronology
2002 August 1 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 1 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Siebold; Shane. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.2 hours Pilot: Shane Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: First flight. Handling qualities assessment and basic performance evaluation. Systems evaluation. Cabin un-pressurized. Results: Un-commanded hammering auxiliary spoiler deployments after takeoff. Flight aborted to downwind for an uneventful landing. No apparent flying qualities issues noted. Auxiliary spoilers were disabled for future flights.
2002 August 5 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 2 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Siebold; Shane. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.5 hours Pilot: Shane Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: First flight test card repeat. Flying qualities assessment and basic performance evaluation. Avionics and pneumatic systems evaluation. Cabin un-pressurized. Results: Envelope expansion to 15,000 feet and 140 knots. Overall satisfactory stability, good control harmony and impressive performance. Heavy airframe buffet at high speeds with both sets of speed brakes deployed. "Best airplane the company has ever built"
2002 August 27 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 4 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Siebold; Shane. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.5 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Shane. Objectives: New pilot qual eval. Envelope expansion out to 35,000 feet and 150 knots / 0.4M and 3 G's. Engine relight performance. Avionics software upgrade. Results: Experienced a rudder dead-band (poor centering) at the higher altitudes. Dihedral effect is neutral at higher speeds. Window fogging on descent. Numerous flight director attitude display resets.
2002 October 17 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 10 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Summary: Flight Time: 1.1 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: SpaceshipOne boost profile and steering capture practice. Simulated SS1 glide approaches. Results: SS1 simulation good up to at least ~ 70 degree flight path angle..
2002 October 17 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 9 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.2 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: Boost phase pilot training. Formation flying and air-to-air photography with the Proteus aircraft. Results: Adequate visibility and satisfactory flying qualities for formation flying. A photo from this flight later appeared on the cover of Aviation Week (21Apr03 issue).
2002 October 24 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 13 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Summary: Flight Time: 0.3 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating". Results: Rating issued.
2002 October 24 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 14 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Siebold; Shane. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Summary: Flight Time: 0.3 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Shane. Objectives: FAA-monitored flight for pilot "Type Rating". Results: Rating issued.
2002 November 6 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 15 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.4 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Continued engine, ECS and avionics evaluation. High-rate nose wheel steering assessment. Results: Difficulty maintaining afterburner on left engine near 50,000 feet. Improved ECS configuration showed improved resistance to fogging. Nose wheel steering gearing change about the same.
2002 November 12 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 16 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.0 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: Continued engine, ECS and avionics evaluation. Simulated wheel brake failure landing rollout. Results: Conclusion: aircraft can be landed at MHV if a wheel brake fails. More engine irregularities at high altitude. Engines removed and sent to test cell for fuel control calibration and adjustments.
2003 May 20 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 24C / 01C - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Agency: Scaled. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi). Objectives: First captive carry flight with mated White Knight and SpaceShipOne. Vibration and aerodynamic interface assessment. Mated handling qualities evaluation. Envelope expansion to 130 knots / Mach 0.5 above 45,000 feet. Stalls and 2/3-rudder sideslips. SpaceShipOne systems inactive, controls locked and cabin unmanned. Launch system was qualified and functional for this flight. Additional Details: here....
2003 July 3 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 25 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.2 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: First glide flight profile rehearsal / two ship checklist flow / airspace coordination / Command and Control responsibilities and handoffs. Results: Good exercise of all involved parties and agencies including the Edwards air Force Base, Joshua Control and Scaled Composites, Utility Mobile ground station.
2003 July 11 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 27 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.7 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold Flight Engineer: Stinemetze. Objectives: Pilot proficiency. First flight for SpaceShipOne lead engineer. Results: Made several simulated captive carry low sink rate landings as well as practice SpaceshipOne approaches to various runways. Good exposure for Matt Stinemetze on cockpit workload / crew coordination / cabin environment and human factors for Tier-1 mission
2003 July 11 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 28 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.5 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Binnie Flight Engineer: Losey. Objectives: Pilot proficiency. First flight for SpaceShipOne crew chief. Results: Made several practice SpaceshipOne approaches using various configurations and runways. Good exposure for SS1 crewchief Steve Losey on cockpit workload / crew coordination / cabin environment and human factors for Tier-1 mission.
2003 August 27 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 32L / 05G - .
Crew: Melvill. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Siebold; Binnie; Melvill. Agency: Scaled. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Objectives: Same objectives as the aborted flight 31LC/04GC earlier today. Second glide flight of SpaceShipOne. Flying qualities and performance in the space ship re-entry or "feather" mode. Pilot workload and situational awareness while transitioning and handling qualities assessment when reconfigured. As a glider, stall investigation both at high and low altitude and envelope expansion out to 200 kts and 4 G's. More aggressive, lateral directional characteristics including adverse yaw, roll rate effectiveness and control, including 360 degree aileron roll, and full rudder side slips. Additional Details: here....
2003 August 27 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
2003 September 19 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 35 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.1 hours. White Knight Pilot: Siebold. White Knight Copilot: Binnie White Knight Flt Engineer: Nichols. Objectives: SpaceShipOne approach and landing profile review Results: Evaluated a variety of different profiles to assess ease of set-up, forgiveness to off normal starts and pilot situation awareness during the approach.
2003 September 23 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 37L / 06G - .
Crew: Melvill. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Siebold; Binnie; Melvill. Agency: Scaled. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi). Objectives: Third glide flight of SpaceShipOne. Aft CG flying qualities and performance evaluation of the space ship in both the glide and re-entry or "feather" mode. Glide envelope expansion to 95% airspeed, 100% alpha and beta and 70% loadfactor. More aggressive post stall maneuvering and spin control as a glider and while feathered. Nitrous temperature control during climb to altitude and performance of upgraded landing gear extension mechanism and space-worthy gear doors. Additional Details: here....
2003 October 17 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 38L/07G - .
Crew: Melvill. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Siebold; Binnie; Melvill. Agency: Scaled. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Objectives: Fourth glide flight of SpaceShipOne. Primary purpose was to examine the effects of horizontal tail modifications at both forward and mid-range CG locations (obtained by dumping water from an aft ballast tank between test points). The tail modifications included a fixed strake bonded to the tail boom in front of the stabilator and a span-wise flow fence mounted on the leading edge of each stab at mid-span. Additional Details: here....
2003 November 5 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 39 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 1.5 hours. White Knight Pilot: Siebold. White Knight Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Avionics upgrade evaluation and landing pattern practice. Results: Satisfactory GPS-aided INS stability and position keeping through a normal launch and glide flight profile. Flight 36
2003 November 14 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
2003 November 19 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 41L/09G - .
Crew: Melvill. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Siebold; Binnie; Melvill. Agency: Scaled. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Objectives: The sixth glide flight of SpaceShipOne. Test pilot Mike Melvill's first flight with the enlarged tails. Emergency aft CG handling qualities eval and simulated landing exercise with the new tail configuration. Airspeed and G envelop expansion and dynamic feather evaluation. Additional Details: here....
2003 December 4 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
2003 December 17 - .
16:15 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- SpaceShipOne powered flight 1 - .
Crew: Binnie. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Melvill; Siebold; Binnie. Agency: Scaled. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Duration: 0.0126 days. Apogee: 21 km (13 mi). White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 43L / 11P. Eighth flight of SpaceShipOne and first powered flight. 15 second burn of the rocket motor and supersonic flight. Motor light off at altitude and inflight engine performance. Vehicle handling qualities through transonics and feather performance from altitude. Launch conditions were 14.6 km and 207 kph. Motor light off was achieved at 13.5 km and 0.55M. Burnout occurred at 1.2M and apogee was 20.7 km. There was no noted flight control flutter or buzz during the climb. Feather recovery exhibited a +/-30 roll initially and then settled down into the familiar falling bathtub mode. The wing was de-feathered and locked by 10.6 km. A nominal landing pattern was flown but touchdown caused the left main gear to collapse and the vehicle rolled to a stop off the runway in the soft sand. Although the damage was not major, repairs were expected to take approximately three weeks to complete.
2004 February 18 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 45 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Summary: Flight Time: 1.6 Hours. White Knight Pilot: Siebold. White Knight Copilot: Binnie. Objectives: Pilot proficiency, new software build checkout and landing practice.
2004 March 11 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
2004 April 5 - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- White Knight Flight 52 - .
Nation: USA. Related Persons: Siebold. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Summary: Flight Time: 2.0 hours. White Knight Pilot: Siebold. White Knight Copilot: Karkow. Objectives: Avionics checkout flight, pilot proficiency and landing practice..
2004 April 8 - .
15:11 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- SpaceShipOne Flight 13P - .
Crew: Siebold. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Melvill; Siebold. Agency: Scaled. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Duration: 0.0114 days. Apogee: 32 km (19 mi). White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 53L / 13P. 40 second motor burn time. Handling qualities during boost, through transonic and supersonic. Reaction control system functionality in-flight and feather configuration stability during transonic re-entry. Evaluation of radar tracking capability. Launch conditions were 13.96 km and 230 kph. A planned immediate motor ignition was delayed about 2 minutes to evaluate a shock induced stall buffet resulting in an ignition altitude of only 11.7 km. The 40 second rocket boost was smooth with good control. Pilot commented that the motor was surprisingly quiet; however the boost was heard by ground observers. Burnout occurred at 1.6M and apogee was over 32 km. There was no noted flight control flutter or buzz during the climb. Feather recovery was nominal. Maximum feathered speed on entry was 0.9 Mach. The wing was de-feathered and locked by 12 km. Handling quality assessments during descent were satisfactory and a smooth landing made to runway 30 at Mojave. All video and tracking systems performed well with spectacular footage obtained onboard, from chase and from ground stations.
2004 May 13 - .
15:31 GMT - .
Launch Site:
Mojave.
Launch Complex:
Mojave RW12/30.
Launch Platform: W-Knight.
Launch Vehicle:
Tier One.
- SpaceShipOne Flight 14P - .
Crew: Melvill. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Binnie; Siebold; Melvill. Agency: Scaled. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Duration: 0.0144 days. Apogee: 65 km (40 mi). White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 56L / 14P. 55 second motor burn time. Handling qualities during boost and performance verification. Reaction control system use for reorientation to entry attitude. Supersonic feather stability and control. Launch conditions were 14 km and 220 kph. Motor light off occurred 10 seconds after release and the vehicle boosted smoothly to 46 km and Mach 2.5. Subsequent coast to apogee of 64.5 km. During a portion of the boost, the flight director display was inoperative, however the pilot continued the planned trajectory referencing the external horizon. Reaction control authority was as predicted and the vehicle recovered in feather experiencing 1.9M and 3.5G’s. Feather oscillations were actively damped by the pilot and the wing was de-feathered starting at 17 km. The onboard avionics was re-booted and a smooth and uneventful landing made to Mojave.
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