Why do Tomcat crews take the cat shot leaning forward in their straps where every other airframe puts their helmet back on the headrest?
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Tomcat Catapult Shot
- Thread starter Wingnut172N
- Start date
As I recall, the "first motion" of the airframe was slightly downward (more nose-strut compression), which due to the curvature of the seat headrest, tended to "bat your melon" slightly forward…and than the seat would whack your melon about a fraction of a second later. It was just easier to lean forward until the forward thingie was evident. That's my recall, anyway.
RadicalDude
Social Justice Warlord
You'll still see dudes lean forward for the stroke from time to time. I always assume it's preference more than anything. There was a squadron in our Airwing that did it for every stroke. YMMV.
707guy
"You can't make this shit up..."
Tomcat dudes =
I keed...sort of.
"Anybody with a haircut like that is an azzhole..."
I lean forward on the cat shot because the vibration from the head rest makes it hard to see the HUD. I have never flown a Tomcat.
"Learn it. Know it. Live it." ~Brad HamiltonBecause everything Tomcat guys & gals did was cooler than everyone else….what an awesome airplane!
FlyingOnFumes
Nobel WAR Prize Aspirant
CDR Ward “Mooch” Carroll stated that it's because no self-respecting “Turkey” driver would take a CAT shot with his head leaning against the headrest. I think it was partially a take it like a “man” thing...
Meh, heads are not positioned for the cat shot, but BY the cat shot lateral "gs"!
With due respect to CDR "Mooch", I'd much sooner measure a Pilot's 'coolness' by his aircraft position on the glide slope, rather than his head positioh on the cat launch.
BzB
With due respect to CDR "Mooch", I'd much sooner measure a Pilot's 'coolness' by his aircraft position on the glide slope, rather than his head positioh on the cat launch.
BzB
There is that..........and watch /sunglasses.Meh, heads are not positioned for the cat shot, but BY the cat shot lateral "gs"!
With due respect to CDR "Mooch", I'd much sooner measure a Pilot's 'coolness' by his aircraft position on the glide slope, rather than his head positioh on the cat launch.
BzB
If you can make your ball call last for the entire pass you get an _OK_ right? Imagine Matthew McConaughey calling the ball. "three zero one Hornet Ball, four point one ott-t00-mattt-tticc" TRAP.