![]() Pilot's that deck spot (ie, attempt to fly to a specific spot on the deck) often fly down through the glideslope at the last moment and land short. This is referred to as "flying the ball all the way to touchdown". Just prior to touchdown, as the aircraft passes over the ramp, the pilot's scan will shift to ball, ball, ball, ball, ball, and the touchdown should come as a surprise.It is imperative the aircraft maintain the proper AoA. Note: failure to keep the aircraft on speed can result in either a bolter, or an in-flight engagement. The pilot will strive to keep the aircraft on centerline, on speed, with a centered ball. As the aircraft flies in the groove the runway will constantly slip to the right requiring small, almost imperceptible, lateral stick inputs (and matching power corrections to account for the loss in lift).The pilot's scan becomes: meatball, lineup, AoA, meatball, lineup, AoA, meatball, lineup, AoA (you get the point). Once established in the groove, the aircraft should be roughly 700fpm and flying the ball for glidepath. ![]() The LSO will respond with "roger ball", which is the aircraft's clearance to land. Once in the groove, with a visible ball, the aircraft makes its ball call.Note: Rolling into the groove, the ball should appear either centered or slightly high. At the 45 the aircraft should be crossing the wake of the carrier, altitude should be 325-375ft AGL, and the ball should appear to rise.At the 90, altitude should be 450ft AGL, and VSI should increase to 500fpm.Too long or too short in the groove and the LSO can wave you off, so it is paramount that the approach turn be performed at the proper position. Proper time in the groove is limited to only 15-18 seconds. Once abeam the LSO shack (or when the white of the round down is visible), the aircraft will increase VSI to approximately 200-300fpm and begin a 27-30 degree AoB turn.Once turned downwind, the aircraft will descend from 800ft AGL to 600ft AGL (the carrier pattern is flown at 600ft), and the aircraft will ensure it has proper lateral separation (abeam distance) from the carrier so as not to overshoot or undershoot on the approach turn.Landing checklist: 3 down and locked, flaps full, hook down, antiskid off, dispenser off, on speed XXX.Reaching the carrier, the flight will then perform the carrier break on their interval, ensuring that aircraft will arrive in 60 second intervals.The flight will then side-step to the right of the carrier island, and begin looking for their interval."123 flight of x, initial", ATC will then give the required instruction.Glossary items have been italicized for ease of reading. I will hence refer to '123' as the default side number.įor simplicity's sake we'll pick it up at initial. This is not the buno number (military aircraft don't have N numbers), it is a squadron specific identifier. Side number: The 3 digit number assigned to the aircraft.On speed airspeed can be approximated by the aircraft weight, but the term on speed does not refer to airspeed specifically, but units of AoA. On speed: the proper AoA that will achieve the correct hook angle to catch the target wire of the carrier. ![]()
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