quick jet question?

[Dave Shutter]

When you go to the boat for CARQUALS I know you use whatever boat is available in the area (no more training carrier) but what stage of readiness is said boat usually in? Whenever I see pics of TW jets landing the decks are almost always naked. Do you always use boats that are in workups or do you ever land on ones leaving for or returning from deployments with the CVW still aboard? Do you ever have to truck on out to the West coast? Thanx.

 

[Ray]

From what I know it really doesn't matter what state of readiness the boats are in. But they have to adjust the wire tension and the cat pressure specifically for the T-45. So usually there aren't any other planes on the deck because they can't land or take off. I guess the difference in gross weight is too great. The wire tension used for a tomcat trap would probably part the hook on a T-45. And the cat pressure would send a prowler right into the ocean. The last boat group went on a carrier that is deploying momentarily so I'm sure they were in the middle or even end of work ups. And the next boat is west coast. They don't like doing it there because the water is too choppy.

VT-22 T-45A TS
Currently: Phase 1/Mod 1

 

[Rainman]

I was always under the assumption that crews could make all those adjustments pretty quickly. That's why SuperHornet, Hornets, CODs can all land in pretty close succession to one another. . .

maybe I"m watching too much JAG

 

[Ray]

They all weigh close to the same though. A T-45 max gross weight is 14.5 thousand pounds. Those other planes are 2-3 times that.

VT-22 T-45A TS
Currently: Phase 1/Mod 1

 

[jarhead]

some random #'s

a Hornets max catapult weight is 51900lbs ... a SuperHornets max catapult weight is 66000lbs

a Hornets max trap weight is 33000lbs ... a SuperHornets max trap weight is 44000lbs

semper fi