XV-15 litho - NASA's History Office

five different locations. All flights
were made on schedule, without difficulty,
and with a “proof-of-concept”
research airplane. The XV-15 performed
faultlessly.
The success of the “Eastern U.S.
Tour” proved to be typical of later
events of this type conducted by Bell
and supported introduction of the tilt
rotor concept to military planners and
a curious public. In following years,
Bell demonstrated and displayed the
XV-15 at locations such as Chicago,
Illinois; Dayton, Ohio; McDill AFB,
Tampa, Florida (Special Operations);
and to commercial users such as Petroleum Helicopters International, Lafayette,
Louisiana. The exposure generated the desired widespread interest in the potential
of this unique aircraft.
Air Shows and Demonstrations
The first opportunity to show the XV-15 to the public in the U.S. occurred on
September 1, 1981, when N703NA, stationed at Ames, was demonstrated at the
NASA/APA (Airport Planners Association)/HAI (Helicopter Association
International) Community Benefits Conference in Monterey, California. Because
of the low noise level produced during the takeoff and landing operations, the
XV-15 was seen to be a community-friendly aircraft by the many conference participants.
For many years during the Navy’s operation of Moffett Field, an open house and
air show was held annually during the spring or summer months to allow the community
to enjoy an interesting close look at local aviation activities. By 1982, the
XV-15 was becoming a familiar sight in the sky over Moffett Field. On May 15
and 16, 1982, the NASA/Army TRRA performed air show demonstrations on each
day of the event and was then placed on static display before an overflow crowd of
approximately 200,000 people. This popular exhibition of the XV-15 was repeated
at the July 1983 and the July 1985 Moffett Field air shows. The last public appearance
of XV-15 N703NA at Moffett Field occurred on March 9, 1987, when NASA
pilots Ron Gerdes and Grady Wilson flew in formation with the NASA QSRA and
the NASA AV-8C Harrier during the dedication of the NASA Ames Numerical
Aerospace Simulation (NAS) computational facility (figure 72).
Public flight demonstrations of the tilt rotor aircraft by Bell included appearances
of XV-15 N702NA at the Wright-Patterson AFB air show (July 19-22,
1990), the Ft. Worth air show (October 9 and 10, 1991), and the Dallas air show
Figure 72.
XV-15 in formation flight at
Ames Research Center with
the NASA QSRA and AV-8B
aircraft.
(Ames Photograph
AC87-0180-454.1)
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