Carrier Qualification
Carrier Qualification
BREAK
When cleared by the tower, the flight leader will break on his interval or no earlier than 1 nm past the bow
(or as directed) using 70-80 degrees AOB as in day FCLP’s. Each wingman breaks at 15-second intervals
after the lead breaks. Remember to check the clock and use it to set an exact break interval. Too often
students fail to hold their heading and altitude after the lead has broken. Don’t make this mistake! Always
concentrate on maintaining the proper heading and altitude. No aircraft should break more than
4 nm ahead of the ship. Execute instrument level break. Descend to 600 ft when established downwind.
Out of the break, intercept the reciprocal of the BRC. Haze or lack of a defined horizon makes an instru-
ment break imperative. At 200 KIAS, extend gear and flaps/slats.
CARRIER APPROACH
The following items illustrate differences between carrier approaches and field approaches.
*
Because of high winds at the ship, power corrections for a low ball will require a larger addition.
*
Corrections for a high ball will require smaller power reductions.
*
It is harder to correct for lineup at the ship due to the short length of the deck and the constant
movement of the centerline.
*
Due to wind over the deck, you will feel high and tight when flying through the 90; resist the tendency
to ease your turn and increase your rate of descent, thus causing low, overshooting starts.
*
At the ship, spotting the deck in close will result in a settle at the ramp and a possible No. 1 wire. This
is a scan breakdown.
*
You will experience a greater tendency at the ship to fixate on a single item, such as the meatball,
airspeed, or the wires. Don’t fixate, Keep your scan moving.
*
Although the landing area is angled approximately 10 degrees, the pattern is flown parallel to the BRC
(base recovery course).
(7-01) Original
Page 31
Previous Page
