Landing on carriers

[dawgfighter]

Hello,

Long time no see from me. Anyway, I'm on a list that caters to the fans of the t.v. show JAG and a question about landing on carriers came up. I knew some of the answers but wanted to ask a couple of REAL naval aviators out there for difinitive answers. Here is the question:

Is there anyone on this list who might be able to explain to me (beyond the obvious), why it's so difficult to land on a carrier. Before I get a bunch of angry replies...what I mean to ask is...what are the unique things that make it difficult--besides a moving target and the distance you have to land? Watching "Crossing the Line" and seeing how she obviously had a tough time landing...at night...is it because she couldn't see the horizon to judge by? Do pilots use the horizon or do they use their instrument panel? Can they even see the ship? Are there landing lights?---didn't seem to be. Same with Harm at night...how much do they depend on their vision of the deck, horizon for--alignment, etc. to land?

Please email me off the list since I rarely come here anymore.

Thanks,
Erin "Sandwich" Williams

Erin
GO NAVY!!!

 

[ea6bflyr]

Where to start?
First and foremost, all and I mean ALL landings are done visually. From about 3/4's of a mile to touchdown the landing is accomplished visually. The pilot uses the centerline lights and the Otical Landing Aid (Meatball) to land. The target rate of descent is around 6oo feet per minute to (no more than) 1400 fpm. Pretty fast descent rate!
Next, Most of the landings in the day are done by using Altitude and placement. Let me explain. When the aircraft is abeam of the landing area, the aircraft should be on-speed at 600 feet Above Ground level (or ocean). The pilot starts his turn (24-27 degrees angle of bank and starts to decend). All the while, the pilot is checking to make sure he is hiting all his "gates" thoughout the approach. Once the pilot rolls into the 'grove' (approx 3/4 mile), he calls the "ball" and then proceeds visually using the "meatball" and lineup.
At night it's a different animal. Pilots use navigation Needles (glideslope and line-up)to fly most of the approach. If Needles are not available, pilots use a self contained CCA (Carrier Controlled Approach)...1200 feet until 3 miles, then 400' per mile (and sub-divisions thereof) until they hit 3/4 mile.
Mostly, I guess the biggest thing is that by the time you finally come in to land, you are tired, flying on vapors and everyone on the ship (Important people like most of the higher ranking officials) are watching you land. Night time=SCARY, Daytime=Fun and challenging.
Hopefully I have answered some of your questions......Finally, Pilots have good days and pilots have bad days....the Aircraft Carrier is a VERY DYNAMIC place to fly.
ea6bflyr

Originally posted by dawgfighter
Hello,

Long time no see from me. Anyway, I'm on a list that caters to the fans of the t.v. show JAG and a question about landing on carriers came up. I knew some of the answers but wanted to ask a couple of REAL naval aviators out there for difinitive answers. Here is the question:

Is there anyone on this list who might be able to explain to me (beyond the obvious), why it's so difficult to land on a carrier. Before I get a bunch of angry replies...what I mean to ask is...what are the unique things that make it difficult--besides a moving target and the distance you have to land? Watching "Crossing the Line" and seeing how she obviously had a tough time landing...at night...is it because she couldn't see the horizon to judge by? Do pilots use the horizon or do they use their instrument panel? Can they even see the ship? Are there landing lights?---didn't seem to be. Same with Harm at night...how much do they depend on their vision of the deck, horizon for--alignment, etc. to land?

Please email me off the list since I rarely come here anymore.

Thanks,
Erin "Sandwich" Williams

Erin
GO NAVY!!!

 

[dawgfighter]

Thanks a lot!

Erin
GO NAVY!!!

 

[jarhead]

Originally posted by ea6bflyr
First and foremost, all and I mean ALL landings are done visually.

i've listened to a couple guys say they've trapped in practically zero-zero weather via the Mode 1 ACLS in the Hornet.

semper fi

 

[bunk22]

Try trapping in near zero-zero weather with the Mark 1 eyeball. That will put some hair on your chest.

 

[Frumby]

I did a Mode 1 ACLS to the ship. I never want to do that again. Frumby

Attack Pilot
Major USMCR

 

[vschip]

what did you do the mode 1 in Frumby? Last I knew was the Prowler's autopilot and ATS weren't certified for mode 1. Seen a couple Hornets do it from the platform, no thanks. Worst for me, sandstorm in the gulf, at 200' clara, about 100', heard "paddles contact, a little right for lineup, a little power" did that, and trapped. File this under something you don't want to hear while flying "99 on final A, landing lights on"

 

[Frumby]

Mode 1A actually. The damn thing controlled the power and I controlled lineup. I watched that thing do throttle throws from Maine to Florida down the glideslope. Taxi 1 wire. Enough for me. Truthfully, I'm probably getting my Modes mixed up. It has been awhile since I landed at the ship during instruments or at night. Regarding your story, I bet you were crapping NOMEX for a week on that one. Frumby

Attack Pilot
Major USMCR

 

[vschip]

Ahhh, 1A, forgot about that one, now it makes sense, amazing what you forget in just 2 years. As for the NOMEX, I was pretty clueless as a nugget, came to appreciate it later on. Landing wasn't bad, but after shutting down, a A-6 was waved off, flew right over the island and my head, scared the %*#$ out of me, gotta respect the work those yellow, green, white, red and grapes shirts do

 

[EA-6B1]

Something that has had me wondering for a while... what's the big number (I.E. 75) you see on the side of the "island" on carriers mean/stand for?

"There were many airplanes, but it was the skinny bird that scared us the most."
- Iraqi POW on the AH-1W Cobra -

 

[vegita1220]

The carrier number.

As in CVN-75