Roger Ball, good and not-so-good questions about the world of "Paddles"

[a-6intruder]

080604-N-5384B-210 PERSIAN GULF (June 4, 2008) Lt. Ian Rasmussen, a Landing Signal Officer (LSO) assigned to the "Kestrels" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, guides an F/A-18E Super Hornet during flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Justin R. Blake (Released)

You don't have to be an eagle-eyed observer to note that the LSO is wearing a VFA-2 Float Coat soooo I would hold the caption as being very suspect.

I just assumed it was cross-dressing day on the platform among the Fighter / Attack Guys.

 

[A4sForever]

ACTUALLY .... the main problem that I see w/ this picture is the tautness of the handset cord --- looks like it's all run out --- one false move and the thing will yank the guy over the side....

 

[insanebikerboy]

ACTUALLY .... the main problem that I see w/ this picture is the tautness of the handset cord --- looks like it's all run out --- one false move and the thing will yank the guy over the side....

Except for those coils that aren't stretched out that I can see on the lower right hand side of the picture?

 

[Rubiks06]

BS, depends on what 60 track you select after HT's, you might find yourself at night getting to make a ball call:

"610, Seahawk Ball, 1.2"

I guess if the Helo Master plan has its way all helo guys will go to the carrier. Be it R or S.

 

[A4sForever]

Except for those coils that aren't stretched out that I can see on the lower right hand side of the picture?

Naaaaa .. I saw that, too. It still looks "tight" to me, without being there. It's pulled off to the right in the pix, mine would be hangin' straight down. "Course most "modern" LSO's look constipated and rigid to me as well, so mebbe it doesn't matter in today's kinder, gentler Navy.

I used to "demand" a lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ng "tail" on my pickle and would have the Air Dept. change 'em out if it wasn't long enough to get at least halfway out to the landing zone.

How can you expect an LSO to "roam" and do his "dance" w/ a short pickle cord ???

 

[Pags]

I guess if the Helo Master plan has its way all helo guys will go to the carrier. Be it R or S.

Nah, HSC will still be split into expeditionary (old HC) and CVW (old HS) squadrons for awhile.

 

[nugget61]

Here's an easy one for anyone that's been there: for landings on the carrier, are their minimum visibility conditions for flight ops or can you land entirely on instruments?

 

[stalk]

Here's an easy one for anyone that's been there: for landings on the carrier, are their minimum visibility conditions for flight ops or can you land entirely on instruments?

Hmmm...lets see if I can remember how it went during "Blue Water Ops" on Gonzo Station (North Arabian Sea). Night time, no moon, ship's making it's own wind, viz is obscured. CATCC says "on and on, 3/4 mile call the ball", I say "CLARA", paddles says, " you sound keep it coming." Mins are mins but if you have no where else to go then you're gonna land...

 

[A4sForever]

Hmmm...mins are mins but if you have no where else to go then you're gonna land...

Always ... and yet another "reality check".

 

[ea6bflyr]

Here's an easy one for anyone that's been there: for landings on the carrier, are their minimum visibility conditions for flight ops or can you land entirely on instruments?

The last 3/4 of a mile on the boat is visual, most of the time. Hornet guys can cheat using a Mode 1, if qual'd, to fly to almost touchdown, but you won't catch me doing that in a Prowler.

-ea6bflyr

 

[FrankTheTank]

Paddles contact... Done this a few times... Ironically during the day... On one had a shattered windscreen and for whatever reason (Cause we were the only up tanker) they wanted us to recover and not divert. The other was not fun cause paddles was not on their A-game, the guy in front of me (The OPS O / 'Bones' for Meridian folk) was under contact and as he makes out objects realizes he is looking at the tower, takes his OWN wave-off on the starboard side, suddenly bullseye starts working again I/we hawk that til I can see the ball/LA....

 

[nittany03]

The last 3/4 of a mile on the boat is visual, most of the time. Hornet guys can cheat using a Mode 1, if qual'd, to fly to almost touchdown, but you won't catch me doing that in a Prowler.

After having an AFCS in AUTO insist that level flight was conducted at .75g, I wouldn't trust that thing as far as I can throw it.

 

[markkyle66]

I've never thought of it till now, but why are some tailhooks striped in black/white? Is it saftey/visibility related?

 

[Uncle Fester]

I've never thought of it till now, but why are some tailhooks striped in black/white? Is it saftey/visibility related?

Yep. Helps Paddles make sure your hook's down. And, tradition.

(*NB: "Tradition" in the Navy is "anything we've done twice or more")

 

[MasterBates]

They are black and white because the CubiCat and KingKat hooks are that way