Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP)
Carrier Qualification
Low and Fast
Raise the nose to start the ball coming up and decelerate to optimum AOA. If the aircraft slows to on-
speed prior to the ball being centered, add power and maintain on-speed. When the ball is centered,
reduce power to reestablish glideslope and adjust nose attitude to maintain optimum AOA. If you're still
fast with the ball centered, reduce power and readjust nose attitude as necessary to maintain a centered
ball and decelerate to optimum AOA. Approaching optimum AOA, add power to maintain proper glides-
lope.
CAUTION: Never accept a low ball. If you're low, add power immediately. Do not reduce power
until the ball is centered.
LINEUP CORRECTIONS
Roll into the groove on the extended centerline of the carrier box. Lineup is critical at the carrier: the
relatively small size of the landing area makes it imperative that you land on the centerline with no drift. If
you're not lined up at the start, make an immediate lineup correction. Failure to make lineup corrections in
a timely manner will cause scan breakdown both in glideslope and AOA deviations. Be aware that lineup
corrections require a corresponding power adjustment.
Being aware of local area winds will help you correct for lineup when rolling out in the groove. Remember,
abeam distance is adjusted so that a consistent 27- to 30-degree AOB turn results in a centerline start.
With consistent crosswinds, use the crab technique to maintain lineup. Don't forget that every lineup
correction requires a counter-correction as you approach the centerline. Chasing lineup will cause glides-
lope errors to follow.
COMMON ERROR: Fixating on the ball and not scanning lineup all the way to touchdown.
REQUIRED COMMUNICATIONS FOR FCLP
NOTE: If you are departing for an outlying field, use standard communications for departure and pattern
entry.
AT HOLDSHORT
To request takeoff directly into the FCLP pattern, communicate the following to the LSO when directed:
LSO call, side number, aircraft status, fuel state, and student qual number.
ENTRY CALL
If departing and re-entering for the break, make the following call entering the pattern to the controlling
agency: "Tower, (side number), initial." For direct entry, paddles/tower will clear aircraft for takeoff and
downwind.
AT ABEAM ON FIRST PASS OUT OF THE BREAK
Make the following call to the LSO: side number, aircraft location (abeam), gear/flaps, "on-speed" KIAS,
fuel state, and student qual number.
AT ABEAM ON SUBSEQUENT PASSES
After the first pass at the abeam, the call is, "qual number, abeam."
NOTE: These reports are mandatory even if an aircraft is on the ball.
(7-01) Change 3
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