Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP)
Carrier Qualification
FIELD CARRIER LANDING PRACTICE (FCLP)
DAY FCLP
The procedures and techniques required for a successful carrier or field carrier landing are refinements of
procedures and techniques you should have previously mastered. At this stage of training, you will be
required to execute the most precise approach/landing yet. Before you actually land aboard a carrier, you
will practice in the simulator and at the field.
START/TAXI/TAKEOFF
Normal procedures apply for FCLP with the following special considerations:
*
Conduct a thorough preflight with emphasis on strut inflation and tire condition.
*
FCLP patterns may be entered after takeoff or by flying to an outlying field.
*
Refer to NATOPS Chapter 4 for FCLP landing configuration limitations.
NOTE: SNPs will not fly to or from an outlying field in formation without an instructor pilot in the flight.
When arriving at the outlying field, fly a standard FCLP pattern entry or as briefed.
FCLP PATTERN ENTRY
The FCLP pattern is the familiar racetrack pattern (Figure 9). Call the initial at the appropriate altitude and
airspeed. The tower may direct you to switch to the “paddles” frequency prior to the break or once estab-
lished downwind. Often you will check in on the paddles frequency on deck and launch directly into the
pattern under LSO control.
BREAK
Execute a level 15 unit break at 70-80 degrees AOB, 250-300 KIAS at 800 ft AGL or in accordance with
local course rules when cleared by the tower. Reduce power to idle and extend speed brakes. Lower your
landing gear and flaps/slats below 200 KIAS.
DOWNWIND
Descend to 600 ft AGL when wings level downwind, trim for on-speed, cross-check AOA, and complete
the landing checklist prior to reaching the abeam position.
ABEAM POSITION
Fly to an abeam distance of 0.9 to 1.1 nm laterally and maintain the proper interval and an altitude of 600
ft AGL. Fly the reciprocal of the runway heading +/- crab necessary to compensate for winds. Do not
blindly follow the aircraft ahead. Make an abeam call to the LSO (on the first pass only), stating your side
number, abeam, gear, flaps, “on-speed” KIAS, fuel state, and qual number. After your first pass, limit your
abeam call to your qual number and position. Do not transmit when another aircraft is on the ball.
Precise control of altitude, AOA, and airspeed at the abeam position is paramount. Prior to reaching the
180, your aircraft should be trimmed up for optimum AOA in level flight.
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