I came across this and thought I would pass it on:
Naval/Marine Aviator:
On a carrier, the Naval/Marine Aviator looks over at the Catapult Officer
("Shooter") who gives the run up engines signal by rotating his finger above
his head. The pilot pushes the throttle forward, verifies all flight
controls are operational, checks all gauges, and gives the Cat officer a
brisk salute, continuing the Navy / Marine tradition of asking permission to
leave the ship. The Cat officer drops to one knee while swooping his arm
forward and pointing down deck, granting that permission. The pilot is
immediately catapulted and becomes airborne.
Air Force:
We've all seen Air Force pilots look up just before taxiing for takeoff and
the crew chief waits until the pilot's thumb is sticking straight up. The
crew chief then confirms that he sees the thumb, salutes, and the Air Force
pilot then takes off. This time-tested tradition is the last link in the Air
Force safety net to confirm that the pilot does not have his thumb up his
ass.
Army:
If you've ever seen an Army helicopter pilot preparing for takeoff, you will
note that the pilot gives the crew chief a thumbs up before he is given
hover and takeoff signals. There are two theories about the origin of this
gesture. One is that it is to show that the pilot has identified which of
his fingers is the thumb so that he will be able to properly operate his
controls. The most compelling theory says that this is to show the crew
chief that the pilot indeed knows which direction is up.
Naval/Marine Aviator:
On a carrier, the Naval/Marine Aviator looks over at the Catapult Officer
("Shooter") who gives the run up engines signal by rotating his finger above
his head. The pilot pushes the throttle forward, verifies all flight
controls are operational, checks all gauges, and gives the Cat officer a
brisk salute, continuing the Navy / Marine tradition of asking permission to
leave the ship. The Cat officer drops to one knee while swooping his arm
forward and pointing down deck, granting that permission. The pilot is
immediately catapulted and becomes airborne.
Air Force:
We've all seen Air Force pilots look up just before taxiing for takeoff and
the crew chief waits until the pilot's thumb is sticking straight up. The
crew chief then confirms that he sees the thumb, salutes, and the Air Force
pilot then takes off. This time-tested tradition is the last link in the Air
Force safety net to confirm that the pilot does not have his thumb up his
ass.
Army:
If you've ever seen an Army helicopter pilot preparing for takeoff, you will
note that the pilot gives the crew chief a thumbs up before he is given
hover and takeoff signals. There are two theories about the origin of this
gesture. One is that it is to show that the pilot has identified which of
his fingers is the thumb so that he will be able to properly operate his
controls. The most compelling theory says that this is to show the crew
chief that the pilot indeed knows which direction is up.
