Talk:William J. Knight

Fair use rationale for Image:Pete Knight.jpg

Image:Pete Knight.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.BetacommandBot 06:30, 6 June 2007 (UTC)

Response by Paul Raveling 08:24, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

I didn't supply this image of Pete Knight, but I believe it's one that probably was picked up from a State of California web site while he served as a State Senator. If that's the case a different legal principle applies: Documents, including photos, which are produced by a government entity or a contractor working with government funding are public distribution: The basic legal principle is that anything funded by the public is public property. These are technically "public distribution", not quite "public domain": Terms of use from the Federal government specify that such photos may be used freely for noncommercial purposes; written permission must be obtained for commercial use. The State of California probably has a similar if not identical legal position.

If there's any doubt please contact me at Paul.Raveling@sierrafoot.org. I can supply a replacement image which are in the U.S. government's public distribution category from NASA and USAF stock from the X-15 research program.

An unrelated footnote is that the situation faced by Knight on Flight 1-73-186 was more extreme than suggested by the report of total power failure, though it might be hard to document concisely for the general public. One problem was that simulations had indicated that the X-15 would be unstable on reentry without its Stability Augmentation System, which was inoperative due to the power failure on ascent. The other problem was that the power failure was due to failure of both APUs, which also caused loss of both hydraulic systems, in turn causing loss of all aerodynamic flight controls. Fortunately Knight was able to restart one APU before reentry, barely regaining use of aerodynamic flight controls. Each of those two problems "should have" required this flight to end in a pilot ejection at hypersonic speed. Knight succeeded in a remarkable save of both the aircraft and his own life. That particular X-15 was the #1, which now hangs in the Smithsonian NASM's Milestones of Flight gallery.

Paul Raveling 08:24, 18 June 2007 (UTC)