Landing Signal Officer
Carrier Qualification
LANDING SIGNAL OFFICER
GENERAL INFORMATION
The LSO or “paddles” is responsible for the safe and expeditious recovery of fixed-wing aircraft aboard the
ship. The LSO also has the ultimate responsibility for the training of pilots in carrier landing techniques by
conducting ground training, counseling, and debriefing individual pilots on their performance during FCLP
and CQ evolutions. The LSO can see your aircraft developing a trend that may result in a poor approach
or landing.
LSO CALLS
The LSO uses radio calls to effect the safe recovery of aircraft. LSOs will keep communications short and
to the point using standard phraseology whenever possible. Your safety depends on your ability to re-
spond to these calls. Due to the training environment, nonstandard phraseology is sometimes necessary.
LSO phraseology is categorized into three types of calls: INFORMATIVE, ADVISORY, and IMPERATIVE.
INFORMATIVE
INFORMATIVE CALLS
ACTION REQUIRED
“You’re (a little) high.”
Adjust rate of descent immediately with power/nose attitude to
reestablish a centered ball.
“You’re (a little) low.”
Correct glideslope immediately.
“You’re going high/low.”
Adjust rate of descent with power/nose attitude to maintain a
centered ball.
“You’re lined up left/right.”
Make lineup correction back to centerline.
“You’re drifting left/right.”
Stop drift and correct lineup to centerline.
“You’re fast/slow.”
Adjust nose attitude/power to reestablish optimum AOA.
“Winds are (slightly) starboard/
Monitor lineup to maintain centerline.
port/axial.”
“You’re under/overpowered.”
Adjust power and attitude as required.
“Ship’s in a starboard/port turn.”
Adjust lineup as necessary.
“You’re wide abeam.”
Use less AOB in approach turn and adjust rate of descent and
altitude accordingly.
“You’re close abeam.”
Use more AOB in approach turn and adjust rate of descent and
altitude accordingly.
“Deep 90.”
Compensate by increasing pattern altitude.
“Close 90.”
Compensate by decreasing pattern altitude.
(7-01) Original
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