Here’s what’s happened….the flight deck was initially blocked by plane taxiing or slow getting away from landing zone. The next Hornet called in on the radio but was still in the clouds so the LSOs ( Landing Signal Officer) reminded pilot to turn on bright landing light. The LSO spotted the light and gave pilot some corrections in the last seconds “ power, Power!” The pilot touched down early or short but still caught the arresting wire. Pilots always go to Full Power upon touchdown hence All of the spray. The deck was Fouled or blocked by that plane that landed, hence the repetition of calls by the LSO looking backwards and arms held high acknowledging this. The arresting wire got stuck being retracted back into position, that’s why the Motor Cart and others went to pull out the kink so to speak. The LSO graded the landing by telling the guy hunched over as he wrote down the plane ID # 500 and the summary of the landing- “ High Start, Drifted left, over corrected n descended too low”. Thats why LSO stated “Power”
The best carrier video I've seen by a mile, the sounds of the LSO and his team, the tannoy announcements, the wind and rain, you get a real sense of what it's like to be there, and of the effort and skill to perform carrier air ops. Thanks for posting!
They are constantly communicating with the plane that’s landing, providing useful callouts to the pilot afaik, i can hear them shouting high when the plane was approaching in the video
I never tire of watching the American navy's carrier operations. Taking into account all the possible permutations of weather conditions, the pitching of the deck, often at night and maybe the pilot very fatigued, it is aviation on the limit. Hugely impressive, Yanks. :)
CATOBAR operations are terribly expensive and complicated, but it's the only way to put the heavyweight aircraft up. You sacrifice a surprising amount going from the catapult to the ski jump, which is the biggest reason the US Navy continues to use it.
Stuff most of us never get to see. Thanks for posting this video raw with all the sounds and noise. I’ve watched plenty of carrier landing videos, this one really illustrates how dangerous it is and how many skilled people it takes to bring an aircraft back aboard. Also I never realized how fast you’re still going and how hard you hit the deck.
It's called a Bolter when the pilots miss all the wires. They come in around 150mph, and they have just over 300 feet between all 4 wires to hit (only 3 wires today in the same space). They go to Full Military Power when wheels are down in case of a Bolter or they won't have enough power to take off. When the pilot "Catches the Wire", he'll hold Full Military Power until a Hook Runner signals him. It stops a 50,000+ pound plane in two seconds. The portion of the wire that you see is called a Cross Deck Pendant. The wire that you can't see until it's engaged is called the Purchase Cable (which is wrapped around an engine that absorbs the kinetic energy and "eases" the dissent. The Pendant Cable last less than 150 arrestments. The Purchase Cable is more than 1000 if memory serves. I worked on the flight deck of the USS Enterprise in the late 80's, early 90's. Nothing like the intensity of being on a flight deck during flight operations. It might look like chaos to the outside world, but it a bunch of guys working in concert to make it all happen. I miss it. VAQ-135 Whidbey Island, WA. EA-6B's - Black Ravens Electronic Warfare Jammers. Not even in service today. 😥
Our son was an nco in the Marine infantry and he told he he couldn't do his job unless the support people did theirs... Everyone has to pull in the same direction... Teamwork!
@@Breenild any sort of shelter disrupts the pilot’s field of vision, creates blind spots and visual distortion for the LSOs. The deck is already crowded as it is now and housing are just added deadweight. Also I would imagine there’s a rotation system in place for them to change and get warm, if they’re not already be steaming from the adrenaline and testosterone required for the job.
@@Breenild I may be wrong but the US has been doing carrier ops for decades so I think they may have figured out the best way to land planes safely....just a hunch.
@@simflier8298 British carriers do not land on with arrestor wires. Haven’t since the 1970’s. All British carriers since 1981 have utilized V/STOL aircraft. The Harrier and now the F-35. A new rolling land technique with the F-35 has been developed but still doesn’t use the wires.
I did similar work, in my Days in the Navy (I was a turbine engine mechanic on helicopters). It wasn't the money that kept us at our jobs. For me, it was the Great Men (and Women) with whom I worked and the great adventures I had..... More money would have been nice but my Shipmates were more important.
You got that right! The pilots are probably under a ‘little pressure’ while they’re landing in such poor visibility … heart rate is probably up a touch, beads of sweat forming everywhere - then BAM! “Number 3 wire - did real good!” Minutes later the same pilot is probably below decks in the ‘dirty shirt’ mess, enjoying a cheeseburger and fries before he goes to watch a movie - cool as a jewel. 👍🇺🇸👍
As a Grunt Officer, we obviously had no control over the weather. There were times we either didn’t have time to erect individual shelters - or the vegetation was so dense that we couldn’t erect a shelter even though we wanted to… we would be so tired, we would be grateful to merely be able to sleep - even though it was pouring with rain! You just had to do it, and find something - anything to be grateful for … for me, it was the opportunity to get some much needed sleep. Thinking of those times - amongst everything else that were all to quick to take for granted - I’m always grateful for a clean, warm dry bed!
what a silly thing to say. None of this equipment will ever be used in a real war, because no country ever wants to risk Nuclear Armageddon. These are just massive profits for weapons companies which you pay for out of your tiny ass pocket.
Holy shit, that was amazing. Its crazy how much abuse carrier aircraft go through, and even crazier that older planes like the f4 landed in similar weather situations without any of the automatic throttle/fly by wire helping out. Those guys were badass. Also, man I REALLY, REALLY hope dcs can one day get to this level of weather simulation. Its been a long held dream of mine that weather in games eventually gets to this level. Maybe one day :D
OMG that's why naval aircraft are built so tough and why LSOs are such an integral part of the deal. And I thought getting it back on the ground after an ILS cloud break
It's also why Navy aircraft have a shorter lifespan. The USAF is still using F-15s, in the same time span the USN has been through Tomcats, Hornets and is now onto Super Hornets.
@@nevilleneville6518 Yes indeed, TO & LDG on 3000m runways is a whole lot easier on airframes and engines as well. I don't know, but I would assume by now that airforces have learned the benefits of reduced thrust takeoffs. No need to get that TIT any higher than required to get the job done.
When the load master calculates the fuel load of an F18, they also consider the mass of the steel balls these pilots have to land on a wet deck in a fog in the middle of the ocean.
I'm sick of hearing youtube posters going on about steel balls & big & heavy & etc etc etc It was funny when someone first said it but it's getting fucking monotonous now. Try saying something original you unoriginal boring plagiarist.
@@micjam1986 depending on how far left, (just a bit) they're probably looking for the "meatball." Plus, if the LSOs call for a wave-off, the lights around the ball flash to tell the pilot to go-around.
@@micjam1986 They're checking to make sure the state of the landing area . There's also the guy who is turned that direction that keeps saying "foul deck" to make sure they know landing area isn't clear. Backups and safeguards to prevent mishaps.
I can give you guys an explanation of what's happening here, each officer here has their own job in ensuring the safety of incoming landing aircraft. For example you can hear one of the LSO's shouting "ONE-HUNDRED!" this lso is watching the landing area and if an aircraft is in the landing area the minimum clearance from deck to aircraft to allow for a safe wave off or landing abort is 100 feet, so if the aircraft is 100 feet or more until he hits the deck and the LA ( landing area) is still a foul deck meaning there's an aircraft there then the landing aircraft still has time to make a safe abort. When the landing area is clear the LSO will yell "10 Feet paddles!" Meaning that the landing area is clear of obstacles and the minimum waveoff altitude from the deck is now 10 feet. Then you have another 2 LSO's ensuring the incoming aircraft is on speed, on centerline, and on glidepath. One of them is looking at the ILARTS, Which some may know as a PLAT camera which is located in front of arresting wire 4 and directly on centerline looking towards the stern of the boat and up at the correct glide path the aircraft should be at so as the aircraft is coming in the it should be right in the center of the screen showing that's its on centerline and on glidepath. The other LSO who is talking to the pilot with the phone in his hand is the one giving the majority of the calls to the pilot, either telling them there slow/fast/on-speed, drifting left/right, you're high/low or "Power" telling them that they need to add immediate power or thrust because their rate of descent is too high. Then there's a few more, one is a scribe who after every landing the lso who was in communication with the pilot will have the scribe write down the pilots landing performance. Which you can hear a little snippet at the beginning of the video. And in case 1 conditions there's another LSO yelling "Abeam all down" then follow by the aircraft type such as hornet or rhino. Ex. "Abeam all down hornet" this tells the primary LSO that the aircraft that is abeam to the ship has his gear down, hook down, and is in full landing configuration.
I cant even imagine what that pilot was going through. Incredible display of organization, poise, courage teamwork and professionalism. God bless our boys.
the pilot was going through what he was trained for (the more difficult chapters, of course). Look at the hand movements on the throttle and stick from the pilot's perspective. There is no time to think of anything besides keeping the aircraft within the appropriate parameters (speed, glide-slope etc.) Reflection time is in the bar, united with the rest of the crew. ua-cam.com/video/3sYxb7x79og/v-deo.html
This was a beautiful 3 minute clip....no idea what each man's role was, the one guy was bellowing enthusiastically, two guys are holding some kind of "nail gun" device...and the wind and rain are doing what they do best! Thanks USN for your fantastic service!
The Nail Gun device is called the Pickle. It's the switch that turns on the wave off light. I was never assigned to work the deck (since my eyes are slow to adjust to rapid light levels, I could not pass a flight deck qualification physical), and certainly as an enlisted man, never an LSO, but my understanding is that during the final approach, the LSO keeps his thumb in the pickle switch at all times. At ANY sign of a problem requiring a wave off, such as fouled deck, pilot way off glide scope, all he has to do is let his thumb come off the switch and this turns on the flashing red wave off lights, telling the pilot to apply power (as a back up if they can't hear paddles on the radio, or NORDO (No RaDiO) and go around for another pass, or in the event of BINGO fuel state (basically extremely low on fuel), if there is one available close enough for the pilot to make it there, divert to a safe place to land.
I have the utmost respect for these guys, both pilots and the landing crew. Looks to me like one of the hardest procedures in the world. As much as I love flying, I wouldn't dare doing this :-P
Impressive as hell. For you highly trained teams guarding our country at this level of competence, much appreciation! Thanks also for the comments explaining what is going on.
Wow!! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why navy pilots are great. Not to miss out those fantastic guys on deck that make everything go so successfully and without incident - without them it would be a very different story. Amazing. Thank you so much for posting. Regards and respect from Northern Ireland. 👍☘️
This video is awesome! The Navy is a awesome branch of our military! Such bravery and piloting skill on display in this video. God bless all of you who have served and continue to serve.
One of the best videos of modern naval aviation I’ve seen. These sailors and Marines have to bring their best every day… or people will die. These men in the video are completely focused on the mission and use skills honed and perfected by their predecessors over the last century. Everything you see here has a reason. These are professionals operating at the pinnacle of naval aviation. (And keep in mind most of these men are in their 20’s and early 30’s)
War doesn't stop for bad weather. When I was a reconnaissance solider in the late 1970's there were times I waded through water in below zero temperatures, slept in the rain and snow. I once spent most of a day driving my vehicle with no top, the windshield down and through freezing rain!
And just think, the carriers will actually steer directly into rain storms to get a “fresh water wash”. At least they did when I was in. This isn’t one of those times though. It can be worse but Paddles do a damn good job talking those jets down. It’s a well oiled machine and the roof is the best damn place to work I’ve ever been. Not sure what year this from, but I was in the same air wing as Felix and the Golden Warriors years ago in a storm just like this one.
Amazing footage, thank you. There is a video on UA-cam called pitching decks, the skill and professionalism of the entire flight deck team and pilots is a pleasure to watch.
And this ladies and gentlemen is why I tried to fly for the Air Force. The damn runway shouldn’t keep trying to escape! 😱 One of my best friends flew A-7Es for the Navy in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Some of the stories he has about trying to get the traumatically under-powered SLUF onto the deck in bad weather and/or heavy seas are insane. Watching this video definitely brings home what a nut job “Pluto” truly is. 😄
Yes. But! According to the Navy there are advantages of carrier recovery over runway. 1. Actual approach speed is 30 knots slower due to carrier speed and wind over deck. 2. Approach is shallower. 3. Almost no crosswind. Usually. Carrier steams on heading that orients landing area into the wind. 4. Friendly voice of LSO to talk you down. 5. No need to concern oneself about air brakes, gear brakes, landing flare, thrust reversers. Hook and wire do all the work. 6. Crash and fire crew few hundred feet away. At ready. 7. Helicopter or small ship as plane guard in case of ejection . Well according to Navy. So no sweat. Right?
@@bovinebear2979 USAF C-17 and USAF/USN/USCG C-130 land in Antarctica snowpack runway in dark and low viz. That's an elite small group of crews who are qualified to fly into McMurdo. Crews have to land and T/O from Aleutian fields in Dutch Harbor , Kisha, Atu strips in all sorts of nasty weather.
What’s scary about that phrase? I thought Navy aircraft never use their lights on the deck except for when they’re on the catapult at night and signaling they’re ready for takeoff.
@@Valkyrie427 Taxi lights are never used at the carrier. The only exception is during the day when the visibility is horrible. The LSO’s say taxi lights on so that they can see you on the approach. So the phrase means that weather is terrible.
I'm a retired Marine Weather Forecaster. 2 years in Vietnam. Right up front I'll say that landing isn't for the new guys on the boat. It takes a lot of stick time to get that right.
Mikemather5....Agreed!!... Got a hop on a carrier once and watched these guys recover in foggy bad weather with WIND!!....These squids I respected, incredible teamwork and alot of coordinated training involved to recover equipment and Excellent pilots!!....1/8 0331 Semper Fidelis
@@AA-xo9uw Certainly does not sound like that, though I have no better suggestion. All that technology, and it comes down to a guy getting soaked and blown around yelling his head off!
@eggmanwi The "pickle switches" the LSOs are holding in the air have a button under the index finger. Press that button and the flashing red wave-off lights illuminate. The LSO with his back turned to the approaching aircraft is watching for the deck to be cleared and is repeatedly yelling "Fouled Deck". The controlling LSOs have their pickle switch hands in the air to acknowledge the deck is fouled. The moment "clear deck" is called they lower their hands. The phone like device the controlling and backup LSOs are holding are on the radio frequency so they can talk to the pilot in the approaching aircraft. The LSO acknowledges the "ball call" from the pilot which consists of side number, aircraft type, ball acquisition and fuel state in pounds for instance "Zero one five, Hummer Ball 4.6" would be an E-2 Hawkeye with 4,600 pounds of fuel on board. This call will be acknowledged with "Roger Ball" indicating the LSO is engaged in the landing. An LSO can often tell what the aircraft is going do do before the pilot. This skill is acquired through observing over a thousand of approaches at the ship and during field carrier landing practice (FCLPs) Every pass is graded by the LSO and the pilot is debriefed by the LSO in their ready room below decks. I was E-2b CAPC (Carrier Aircraft Plane Commander" and squadron LSO.
this is the stuff I never get to see, its always calm weather and calm seas in almost every other video but that doesn't do justice to when the crews are having to work perfectly in bad conditions
I couldn't tell if that Growler boltered or one-wired. EDIT: Never mind, it was a one-wire, if you pay attention to the deck you can see the one wire stretched taut against the deck.
Slow down the playback speed. I thought it was a 1 wire too. However, at slow speed you can see the hook miss the one wire. In fact, it catches the 4 wire.
I've worked in worse conditions covered in oil freezing. After seeing that, the risk those dudes take to land a jet plane and protecting you yanks, I'm overpaid and have it good, very good. Thanks for your efforts.
If this was the 2020 deployment, I remember this day. They went up before the rain really kicked in. Almost all the aircraft boltered on their first go around to come in. They canceled flight ops once we recovered everyone. Thanks for sharing, interesting seeing this from this perspective.
Question for those of you familiar with this. Next to the LSO is someone with VAQ-142 on their back, also on the RT talking to the pilot, I assume, obviously because the Growler is from that Squadron. I notice that there are others with different squadron numbers, so is there a LSO assistant from each squadron because of the differing landing characteristics of each plane type?
Every squadron that has an aircraft on that recovery will have an LSO on the platform and usually the airwing or asst airwing LSO. Each squadron LSO knows their pilots voices and their strengths and weaknesses.
Most squadrons have at least 2 LSO. They rotate duties so one is on the platform every recovery every other flight day and fly on the alternate days. They are there to observe the landing behavior of every aircraft in the inventory. They are the controlling LSO during at least one recovery even with the CAG LSO backing them up. Becoming an LSO is a choice and is a true apprenticeship job in the Navy. The LSOs are responsible for conducting field carrier landing practice (FCLPs) to maintain carrier approach proficiency during periods of shore duty.
@@gregheyheyhey The LSOs volunteer for the duty and they are usually regarded as among the best pilots in their squadron. Then there is the "being where the action is" motivator. They all endure the good, the bad and the ugly working conditions and enjoy the respect of their fellow pilots. Hearing loss is one of the biggest sacrifices they make. As far as being "cool" I don't think that enters into is - at least it didn't for me.
@@brucelaughton3108 Thanks, I should have been more judicious in my word choice. By "cool" I meant your "being where the action is" definition, aka where people want to be.
Reminds me of my youth when I worked on the flight deck of the illustrious USS Coral Sea. We were a lot smaller and definitely more antiquated than the TR.
Navy flight jocks have balls of Titanium. The technology of landing on carriers has evolved incredibly, but sheer courage is unmatched. And, those sky warriors do it everyday.
@@ellavaderknows I know they do but it’s just all PC driven. There are many sailors that are taken off of aircraft carriers due to pregnancy. Stupidest idea in the world is to have 18 year old men and women serving on any combat ship. Military preparedness should be primary. Not scoring PC points. And back to my previous question. Did you see any women in that video?
@@daveware3936 Back to my original comment, thanking all of the men and women who serve and do that impossible job everyday. Your mom would be ashamed of you, for thinking so little of women.
@@kfirgoboom8654 true, landing on the boat with an emergency is its own ballgame as well. Some considerations change vs landing on a big long, static runway devoid of deck personnel.
Physiological studies done in Vietnam showed the pilot's heart rate was the highest when trying to land on the carrier at night or foul weather. Dodging flak, SAMs or MiGs was not as stressful.
Ok, it's really interesting, but I have so many questions: - Why don't they have a nice little hut, so they won't get wet in such weather? - What are those things the two guys hold in their hands and why do they have to hold them above their heads? - What is the guy on the left hollering all the time? - Why does it need seven guys on deck to help landing the jet?
As a student pilot in diddy little Cessnas, I was told 'if it looks like the weather might turn bad before your planned landing time, stay in the clubhouse'. I suspect that operational pilots don't have that choice.
The sing-song sounding call is: FOUL DECK. Meaning the landing area isn't ready for a trap. The LSOs signify they understand by holding the "pickle" over their heads. Once everything is ready the call is CLEAR DECK and the LSOs drop the pickles to waist level.
sounds like someone had too much to drink and is doing some bad karaoke tunes... kind of makes sense for someone to shout "Foul Deck".....when the deck is fouled.
@@dj6769 If the LSO wants to wave off the aircraft, he squeezes the trigger on the pickle switch and the red wave off lights above the fresnel lens (meatball) start flashing. The LSO may also say "wave off" over the radio to the pilot.
No one except the pilots and LSOs that experienced that day can understand how hard that was. Everyone just assumes it will all work out. For the pilots AND the LSOs it is terrifying. Terrifying is routine for our Navy. The reason it works is training. I've been the pilot, and I've been the LSO. When you're both highly trained, and terrified all the time - the result is usually brilliant.
It's holy crap I watched this twice and I still couldn't tell if they got trapped or boltered. When he actually landed it he kicked up so much spray it looked like he boltered, but later on in the video it looks like hes maneuvering on the deck and landed... I had to come to the comments figure out what actually happened. Intense.
I slowed it down to .25 and it looks like he touched down before the 1 wire (at least the hook hits before the 1 wire), but it looks like it caught the 2 wire. But you’re right; it’s really hard to tell with all the water splash. Gutsy stuff!
@@keirfarnum6811 Definitely a taxi 1-wire pass that hook skipped to a later wire (looks like a 3 or 4 wire, hard to tell). Under normal circumstances, this would automatically earn the pilot a grade of "no grade" for this pass, but considering the conditions, hopefully the LSO's would show some mercy and give the guy a "fair".
always hard to tell for sure from that position as they'll stick the throttle to AB as soon as they touch so they don't spend a full second trying to figure out if they caught a wire or not.
First aircraft comes in extremely low and traps the one wire. Very close to a ramp strike. LSOs are talking about the landing. There is a foul deck with crews moving some aircraft across the forward end of the landing area. At the end of the video, the air boss calls to strip the 4 wire which the arresting gear crew moves to accomplish.
I think the first aircraft was a bolter. If you replay frame by frame you can see that it did not catch any wire. Edit: it seems it stopped somehow (so no bolter), but at 0:49 it looks like it did not catch any of the first three wires.
@@victorsullivan7238 strip means to remove it from service, meaning that there will be one fewer to trap on. This is usually a maintenance issue. Swap wires means they will be changing the cross deck pendant (the above deck part) for a new one. They have to do that every 100 traps.
Every time I've seen footage from an aircraft carrier flight deck, it's always a sunny day with clear blue skies. It never occurred to me that they operated in these conditions. 🤦🏽♂️
I honestly thought this was a game cutscene based on the thumbnail and still thought so for a solid while. Incredible video, the muted colours, uniforms and great moustaches makes it feel like it's much older than I assume it is.
Well you can tell the difference between a smooth day with smooth waters, sun up, no clouds and a balmy wind and this sheer form of terror. The LSO´s are really concentrated and dont slack.
They didn't have gloves or hats on so I'd say air temperatures over 70 degrees F? There's a 10 - 20 degree temperature due to a 20mph wind from the front.
This reminds me of monsoon season during Vietnam war on the USS KITTY HAWK, makes you understand how dangerous flight deck is, and what crews and pilots deal with. Proud to have served with the BEST. ABE2 MIKE GEARY CAT ONE PETTY OFFICER. 71-72
First of all thanks for posting this video because whenever i have seen carrier landing videos it is all based in nice weather it looks cinematic but when i see this man you are doing one of the toughest job out their. Thanks for your service. Long live democracy.
They had to strip the 4 wire. Takes a bit of time to do. That’s why all the Paddles groaned when it was said over the flight deck. No one has time for that.
Air Force Vet here. Wear that hearing protection and cushioned helmet or your ears will ring 24/7 and you'll have headaches for the rest of your life. Jet thrust emits 134,000 lbs of pressure and 150+ decibels which is enough to cause lasting hearing damage and a minor brain shake concussion. Existing 1960's helmets offer limited head, brain, and hearing protection.
Can someone tell me what the two gentlemen are holding in there right hands? Some sort of trigger button? And may I add.... Honestly unbeatable. No one will ever match your carrier operations! Love having you guys Downunder 🇦🇺
That is the trigger to wave an aircraft off if their flight regime isn't suited for a safe landing. It changes the "meatball" indicator to a flashing X indicating that the pilot must abort the landing
@@Irwin7488 From what I have heard he is shouting "Fooooooooooouuuuuul deck" to ensure the other LSOs know that they cannot land other aircraft until the deck is clear.
Wow, that is the most impressive carrier video I have seen ever. And it must be very reassuring when you can relay on such a team. May be someone can answer my question: There is someone shouting regularly, I think it is the man in the upper left corner. What does he shout and why?
By the amount of glorious mustache one could think this was filmed in the 80’s
The 1880s too
@@hobog you can grow quite the stash on a 6 month cruise....if you're a zero!
Or Movember.
A good 'stache greatly shortens your OODA Loop... been known since WW2, maybe longer... ;')
Navy men dig those stashes...they like the tickle in their crotch
Here’s what’s happened….the flight deck was initially blocked by plane taxiing or slow getting away from landing zone.
The next Hornet called in on the radio but was still in the clouds so the LSOs ( Landing Signal Officer) reminded pilot to turn on bright landing light. The LSO spotted the light and gave pilot some corrections in the last seconds “ power, Power!” The pilot touched down early or short but still caught the arresting wire. Pilots always go to Full Power upon touchdown hence All of the spray. The deck was Fouled or blocked by that plane that landed, hence the repetition of calls by the LSO looking backwards and arms held high acknowledging this. The arresting wire got stuck being retracted back into position, that’s why the Motor Cart and others went to pull out the kink so to speak. The LSO graded the landing by telling the guy hunched over as he wrote down the plane ID # 500 and the summary of the landing- “ High Start, Drifted left, over corrected n descended too low”. Thats why LSO stated “Power”
Thank you for sharing, that gives it much more clarity and I appreciate your knowledge on this. I wish I did 2yrs of this out of High School.
thanks nice to get an overview. makes the vid more understandable.
@@floppygdog need more than that. LSO's are also pilots.
What is the guy with the arm up looking back shouting?? I couldn't make it out. must be going deaf LOL
@@chuckster007a "Foul Deck!" Means there's stuff in the way.
The best carrier video I've seen by a mile, the sounds of the LSO and his team, the tannoy announcements, the wind and rain, you get a real sense of what it's like to be there, and of the effort and skill to perform carrier air ops. Thanks for posting!
Agreed. The atmosphere (literally) and the energy of the teamwork is incredible here.
It is very well captured in this clip. Very cool scene.
What's "tannoy" tho? And what are they shouting, and to who? 😶
They are constantly communicating with the plane that’s landing, providing useful callouts to the pilot afaik, i can hear them shouting high when the plane was approaching in the video
Tho i don’t know what tannoy means
I am not American but still feeling so proud of these men. The pilots, the ground crew are simply amazing.
I think you should be proud of people fighting the Americans!
Mehmet, go back to your goat... She misses you....
@@LostMyMojo100 HE misses him.
@@mehmetaltunkaya6514 Nope :)
@@LostMyMojo100 I'm not Arab I'm Turkish! if your ass eats stop fighting poor countries try fighting Turks!
I never tire of watching the American navy's carrier operations. Taking into account all the possible permutations of weather conditions, the pitching of the deck, often at night and maybe the pilot very fatigued, it is aviation on the limit. Hugely impressive, Yanks. :)
CATOBAR operations are terribly expensive and complicated, but it's the only way to put the heavyweight aircraft up. You sacrifice a surprising amount going from the catapult to the ski jump, which is the biggest reason the US Navy continues to use it.
Such a professional outfit!
heh, naval aviators will be the first to tell ya... 😉
This is what makes the U.S.A, great baby.
I'm not American unfortunately.
@@88njtrigg88 Be proud of your origin! We're all friends here.
Stuff most of us never get to see. Thanks for posting this video raw with all the sounds and noise. I’ve watched plenty of carrier landing videos, this one really illustrates how dangerous it is and how many skilled people it takes to bring an aircraft back aboard. Also I never realized how fast you’re still going and how hard you hit the deck.
About 160 miles per hour and falling at 12 feet a second!
@@alyssadavenport629 take its toll on the airframe structure of the aircraft
It's called a Bolter when the pilots miss all the wires. They come in around 150mph, and they have just over 300 feet between all 4 wires to hit (only 3 wires today in the same space). They go to Full Military Power when wheels are down in case of a Bolter or they won't have enough power to take off. When the pilot "Catches the Wire", he'll hold Full Military Power until a Hook Runner signals him. It stops a 50,000+ pound plane in two seconds. The portion of the wire that you see is called a Cross Deck Pendant. The wire that you can't see until it's engaged is called the Purchase Cable (which is wrapped around an engine that absorbs the kinetic energy and "eases" the dissent. The Pendant Cable last less than 150 arrestments. The Purchase Cable is more than 1000 if memory serves.
I worked on the flight deck of the USS Enterprise in the late 80's, early 90's. Nothing like the intensity of being on a flight deck during flight operations. It might look like chaos to the outside world, but it a bunch of guys working in concert to make it all happen. I miss it.
VAQ-135
Whidbey Island, WA.
EA-6B's - Black Ravens Electronic Warfare Jammers.
Not even in service today. 😥
Our son was an nco in the Marine infantry and he told he he couldn't do his job unless the support people did theirs... Everyone has to pull in the same direction... Teamwork!
@@vincecrabtree9845 I'll bet you do miss it Vince. I can only imagine what it feels to be part of such a team! Amazing.
Great to see the professionalism not just of the pilots but also the landing crew.
Navy airdale vet here. Outstanding video, one of the best I've seen of OPS. Semper Fortis
AT2 here back in day. Haze grey and underway.
@@brbob4934
AQ2 Nimitz
LSOs exposed to the weather, while safely bringing pilots aboard. Bravo! You guys are amazing!
I don't know, why they don't have a kind of a small housing with a glass front and a wiper! This should be possible on a billion dollar carrier!
Right on! I think the Brits, French or Indian carriers have some kind of enclosure
@@Breenild any sort of shelter disrupts the pilot’s field of vision, creates blind spots and visual distortion for the LSOs. The deck is already crowded as it is now and housing are just added deadweight. Also I would imagine there’s a rotation system in place for them to change and get warm, if they’re not already be steaming from the adrenaline and testosterone required for the job.
@@Breenild I may be wrong but the US has been doing carrier ops for decades so I think they may have figured out the best way to land planes safely....just a hunch.
@@simflier8298
British carriers do not land on with arrestor wires. Haven’t since the 1970’s. All British carriers since 1981 have utilized V/STOL aircraft. The Harrier and now the F-35. A new rolling land technique with the F-35 has been developed but still doesn’t use the wires.
Just goes to show why everyone in the Navy deserves every penny they make (not enough) and deserves every ounce of our respect!
Sacrifices of this kind would deserve an adequate salary ... but it is worth it when you are in the service of a great country !!!
I did similar work, in my Days in the Navy (I was a turbine engine mechanic on helicopters). It wasn't the money that kept us at our jobs. For me, it was the Great Men (and Women) with whom I worked and the great adventures I had..... More money would have been nice but my Shipmates were more important.
You got that right!
The pilots are probably under a ‘little pressure’ while they’re landing in such poor visibility … heart rate is probably up a touch, beads of sweat forming everywhere - then BAM! “Number 3 wire - did real good!”
Minutes later the same pilot is probably below decks in the ‘dirty shirt’ mess, enjoying a cheeseburger and fries before he goes to watch a movie - cool as a jewel. 👍🇺🇸👍
As a Grunt Officer, we obviously had no control over the weather. There were times we either didn’t have time to erect individual shelters - or the vegetation was so dense that we couldn’t erect a shelter even though we wanted to… we would be so tired, we would be grateful
to merely be able to sleep - even though it was pouring with rain!
You just had to do it, and find something - anything to be grateful for … for me, it was the opportunity to get some much needed sleep.
Thinking of those times - amongst everything else that were all to quick to take for granted - I’m always grateful for a clean, warm dry bed!
what a silly thing to say. None of this equipment will ever be used in a real war, because no country ever wants to risk Nuclear Armageddon. These are just massive profits for weapons companies which you pay for out of your tiny ass pocket.
Former carrier flight deck crewman. Still miss days like this. Whole crew comes together. What a show one can put on when time calls
Holy shit, that was amazing. Its crazy how much abuse carrier aircraft go through, and even crazier that older planes like the f4 landed in similar weather situations without any of the automatic throttle/fly by wire helping out. Those guys were badass.
Also, man I REALLY, REALLY hope dcs can one day get to this level of weather simulation. Its been a long held dream of mine that weather in games eventually gets to this level. Maybe one day :D
Did you see the new update?
Funnily enough, a couple of F-4Bs tested an automated landing system in the mid-60s. They were re-designated as F-4Gs
Older aircrafts did not operate in poor weather conditions.
@@swarajkar3086 All-weather interceptors like the Phantom would.
The algorithm brought me here, and this was amazing to watch.
Same
OMG that's why naval aircraft are built so tough and why LSOs are such an integral part of the deal.
And I thought getting it back on the ground after an ILS cloud break
It's also why Navy aircraft have a shorter lifespan. The USAF is still using F-15s, in the same time span the USN has been through Tomcats, Hornets and is now onto Super Hornets.
@@nevilleneville6518 Yes indeed, TO & LDG on 3000m runways is a whole lot easier on airframes and engines as well. I don't know, but I would assume by now that airforces have learned the benefits of reduced thrust takeoffs. No need to get that TIT any higher than required to get the job done.
@@nevilleneville6518 Yes, have noticed before that stateAirNationalGuard units do not fly former Navy-planes like they do AF-jets.
The most dangerous flying ever undertaken for the pilot and the ground crew. You have to take your hat off to everyone involved in this mad stuff.
When the load master calculates the fuel load of an F18, they also consider the mass of the steel balls these pilots have to land on a wet deck in a fog in the middle of the ocean.
🤣🤣😭😂😭😭😭😂🤣🤣👍👍
I'm sick of hearing youtube posters going on about steel balls & big & heavy & etc etc etc
It was funny when someone first said it but it's getting fucking monotonous now.
Try saying something original you unoriginal boring plagiarist.
😂
Female pilots don't have balls, and still can do it.
Cracked me up! Go US Navy 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸.
Most of the time I couldn't believe I was getting paid to fly. Sometimes they couldn't have paid me enough ... like on days like this.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice for my freedoms!
Thx for serving slick!!!What did you fly? And why do pilots keep looking to the left as they aproach the carrier? Just a horizon check?
@@micjam1986 depending on how far left, (just a bit) they're probably looking for the "meatball." Plus, if the LSOs call for a wave-off, the lights around the ball flash to tell the pilot to go-around.
@@micjam1986 They're checking to make sure the state of the landing area . There's also the guy who is turned that direction that keeps saying "foul deck" to make sure they know landing area isn't clear. Backups and safeguards to prevent mishaps.
My call sign would have been SICK
Army vet here. Hat off to my Navy brothers and sisters. This is tough and dangerous work
Thanks for looking after the animals.
I can give you guys an explanation of what's happening here, each officer here has their own job in ensuring the safety of incoming landing aircraft. For example you can hear one of the LSO's shouting "ONE-HUNDRED!" this lso is watching the landing area and if an aircraft is in the landing area the minimum clearance from deck to aircraft to allow for a safe wave off or landing abort is 100 feet, so if the aircraft is 100 feet or more until he hits the deck and the LA ( landing area) is still a foul deck meaning there's an aircraft there then the landing aircraft still has time to make a safe abort. When the landing area is clear the LSO will yell "10 Feet paddles!" Meaning that the landing area is clear of obstacles and the minimum waveoff altitude from the deck is now 10 feet. Then you have another 2 LSO's ensuring the incoming aircraft is on speed, on centerline, and on glidepath. One of them is looking at the ILARTS, Which some may know as a PLAT camera which is located in front of arresting wire 4 and directly on centerline looking towards the stern of the boat and up at the correct glide path the aircraft should be at so as the aircraft is coming in the it should be right in the center of the screen showing that's its on centerline and on glidepath. The other LSO who is talking to the pilot with the phone in his hand is the one giving the majority of the calls to the pilot, either telling them there slow/fast/on-speed, drifting left/right, you're high/low or "Power" telling them that they need to add immediate power or thrust because their rate of descent is too high. Then there's a few more, one is a scribe who after every landing the lso who was in communication with the pilot will have the scribe write down the pilots landing performance. Which you can hear a little snippet at the beginning of the video. And in case 1 conditions there's another LSO yelling "Abeam all down" then follow by the aircraft type such as hornet or rhino. Ex. "Abeam all down hornet" this tells the primary LSO that the aircraft that is abeam to the ship has his gear down, hook down, and is in full landing configuration.
An intense video, capturing a non Hollywood version of real life on a carrier. Where stuff is also the heroes. Not only the pilots. Thank you!
I cant even imagine what that pilot was going through. Incredible display of organization, poise, courage teamwork and professionalism. God bless our boys.
the pilot was going through what he was trained for (the more difficult chapters, of course). Look at the hand movements on the throttle and stick from the pilot's perspective. There is no time to think of anything besides keeping the aircraft within the appropriate parameters (speed, glide-slope etc.) Reflection time is in the bar, united with the rest of the crew.
ua-cam.com/video/3sYxb7x79og/v-deo.html
All weather, day or night, naval aviators are absolutely the best.
Until you put them in an airliner. Yikes.
@@cloudstreets1396, You can definitely tell a former Naval Aviator landing a airliner. They don't play.
@@dennisbaecht7860 - yeah. Passengers lose their shit too
@@cloudstreets1396 Like Tammie Jo Shults?
@@AA-xo9uw exactly
This was a beautiful 3 minute clip....no idea what each man's role was, the one guy was bellowing enthusiastically, two guys are holding some kind of "nail gun" device...and the wind and rain are doing what they do best!
Thanks USN for your fantastic service!
The Nail Gun device is called the Pickle. It's the switch that turns on the wave off light. I was never assigned to work the deck (since my eyes are slow to adjust to rapid light levels, I could not pass a flight deck qualification physical), and certainly as an enlisted man, never an LSO, but my understanding is that during the final approach, the LSO keeps his thumb in the pickle switch at all times. At ANY sign of a problem requiring a wave off, such as fouled deck, pilot way off glide scope, all he has to do is let his thumb come off the switch and this turns on the flashing red wave off lights, telling the pilot to apply power (as a back up if they can't hear paddles on the radio, or NORDO (No RaDiO) and go around for another pass, or in the event of BINGO fuel state (basically extremely low on fuel), if there is one available close enough for the pilot to make it there, divert to a safe place to land.
@@dsdowd1959, What is that officer facing another side saying exactly every few moments? What is that word?
@@dsdowd1959 So instead of pushing a button to signal a go around, you hold the button down and if you release it, that signals the go around?
@@josipcuca-zentil672 Bird is the word))
@@sanfranciscobay Yes. Same thing with a hand grenade.Try it))
I have the utmost respect for these guys, both pilots and the landing crew. Looks to me like one of the hardest procedures in the world. As much as I love flying, I wouldn't dare doing this :-P
holy crap, I'm gripping the arms of my chair watching this. these guys are more than special.
Impressive as hell. For you highly trained teams guarding our country at this level of competence, much appreciation! Thanks also for the comments explaining what is going on.
The skill and professionalism that goes into doing this is actually insane.
I spent 5 yrs on a carrier and this is the best stuff I've ever seen. LSO's are the shizz.
Wow!! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why navy pilots are great. Not to miss out those fantastic guys on deck that make everything go so successfully and without incident - without them it would be a very different story. Amazing. Thank you so much for posting. Regards and respect from Northern Ireland. 👍☘️
The best American thing on UA-cam. 💯💯
Watching professional at work never gets old.
Big time respect to these servicemen in the video, and to all servicemen and women.
This video is awesome! The Navy is a awesome branch of our military! Such bravery and piloting skill on display in this video. God bless all of you who have served and continue to serve.
@Sheps - Pilots on ships are navigators...I think you mean "naval aviators."
Did they ever find that lost dog they were calling for on deck? 🤔
the most calmest navy landing
Perfect footage. Great camera work and amazing sounds of machines and natures. This is just like something straight from Hollywood movies.
Except this is the real deal!!!
Thanks for your sacrifice and dedication. I used to fly planes, not in the military. Can't imagine landing on a pitching deck in that soup.
A bunch of traps on Vinson as a Viking SENSO and one on TR as a civilian and I've never been in weather like that. Good thing I wasn't a pilot.
Such a cool freaking plane.
One of the best videos of modern naval aviation I’ve seen. These sailors and Marines have to bring their best every day… or people will die. These men in the video are completely focused on the mission and use skills honed and perfected by their predecessors over the last century. Everything you see here has a reason. These are professionals operating at the pinnacle of naval aviation. (And keep in mind most of these men are in their 20’s and early 30’s)
i had no idea they did this during bad weather. it's amazing the amount of experience they've accumulated over decades of doing this.
War doesn't stop for bad weather. When I was a reconnaissance solider in the late 1970's there were times I waded through water in below zero temperatures, slept in the rain and snow. I once spent most of a day driving my vehicle with no top, the windshield down and through freezing rain!
"Sorry boys, the war is on hold cause it's raining and windy." LOL
Worse, once you get through the storm, the ship calls recovery complete and turns downwind to go through it again.
And just think, the carriers will actually steer directly into rain storms to get a “fresh water wash”. At least they did when I was in. This isn’t one of those times though. It can be worse but Paddles do a damn good job talking those jets down. It’s a well oiled machine and the roof is the best damn place to work I’ve ever been.
Not sure what year this from, but I was in the same air wing as Felix and the Golden Warriors years ago in a storm just like this one.
Amazing footage, thank you. There is a video on UA-cam called pitching decks, the skill and professionalism of the entire flight deck team and pilots is a pleasure to watch.
Now that takes guts and nerves, hats off to those pilots and their years of training and experience
Whoa this is freaking awesome footage
Great Video! Love it!
And this ladies and gentlemen is why I tried to fly for the Air Force. The damn runway shouldn’t keep trying to escape! 😱
One of my best friends flew A-7Es for the Navy in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Some of the stories he has about trying to get the traumatically under-powered SLUF onto the deck in bad weather and/or heavy seas are insane. Watching this video definitely brings home what a nut job “Pluto” truly is. 😄
You're all legends! 🇺🇸
Yes. But! According to the Navy there are advantages of carrier recovery over runway.
1. Actual approach speed is 30 knots slower due to carrier speed and wind over deck.
2. Approach is shallower.
3. Almost no crosswind. Usually. Carrier steams on heading that orients landing area into the wind.
4. Friendly voice of LSO to talk you down.
5. No need to concern oneself about air brakes, gear brakes, landing flare, thrust reversers. Hook and wire do all the work.
6. Crash and fire crew few hundred feet away. At ready.
7. Helicopter or small ship as plane guard in case of ejection .
Well according to Navy. So no sweat. Right?
@@dkoz8321 if i was a pilot i would prefer touching down on dry land, but hey that's just me
@@bovinebear2979 USAF C-17 and USAF/USN/USCG C-130 land in Antarctica snowpack runway in dark and low viz. That's an elite small group of crews who are qualified to fly into McMurdo.
Crews have to land and T/O from Aleutian fields in Dutch Harbor , Kisha, Atu strips in all sorts of nasty weather.
I flew A-7 in the USN. Power response on that engine when in the landing configuration was just terrible. It was a real bear to land, as you note,.
“99, taxi lights on”. One of the scariest phrases ever.
What’s scary about that phrase? I thought Navy aircraft never use their lights on the deck except for when they’re on the catapult at night and signaling they’re ready for takeoff.
@@Valkyrie427 Taxi lights are never used at the carrier. The only exception is during the day when the visibility is horrible. The LSO’s say taxi lights on so that they can see you on the approach. So the phrase means that weather is terrible.
Let’s see the Chinese do this.
I'm a retired Marine Weather Forecaster. 2 years in Vietnam. Right up front I'll say that landing isn't for the new guys on the boat. It takes a lot of stick time to get that right.
Mikemather5....Agreed!!... Got a hop on a carrier once and watched these guys recover in foggy bad weather with WIND!!....These squids I respected, incredible teamwork and alot of coordinated training involved to recover equipment and Excellent pilots!!....1/8 0331 Semper Fidelis
Yeah, absolutely, although it prolly got a tad "easier" with ICLS and stuff.
@eggmanwi Tough to make it out but I believe he's yelling "Foul deck!"
@@AA-xo9uw Certainly does not sound like that, though I have no better suggestion. All that technology, and it comes down to a guy getting soaked and blown around yelling his head off!
@eggmanwi The "pickle switches" the LSOs are holding in the air have a button under the index finger. Press that button and the flashing red wave-off lights illuminate. The LSO with his back turned to the approaching aircraft is watching for the deck to be cleared and is repeatedly yelling "Fouled Deck". The controlling LSOs have their pickle switch hands in the air to acknowledge the deck is fouled. The moment "clear deck" is called they lower their hands. The phone like device the controlling and backup LSOs are holding are on the radio frequency so they can talk to the pilot in the approaching aircraft. The LSO acknowledges the "ball call" from the pilot which consists of side number, aircraft type, ball acquisition and fuel state in pounds for instance "Zero one five, Hummer Ball 4.6" would be an E-2 Hawkeye with 4,600 pounds of fuel on board. This call will be acknowledged with "Roger Ball" indicating the LSO is engaged in the landing. An LSO can often tell what the aircraft is going do do before the pilot. This skill is acquired through observing over a thousand of approaches at the ship and during field carrier landing practice (FCLPs) Every pass is graded by the LSO and the pilot is debriefed by the LSO in their ready room below decks. I was E-2b CAPC (Carrier Aircraft Plane Commander" and squadron LSO.
this is the stuff I never get to see, its always calm weather and calm seas in almost every other video but that doesn't do justice to when the crews are having to work perfectly in bad conditions
Serious props to everyone involved. Takes next level dedication to perform this kind of work.
And I thought the LSO's had a glamorous job - never seen footage of them in the pouring rain before. Nice work boys, you help keep em safe out there!
I couldn't tell if that Growler boltered or one-wired.
EDIT: Never mind, it was a one-wire, if you pay attention to the deck you can see the one wire stretched taut against the deck.
Wasnt it an F18?
@@volleyguy1001 It’s an EA-18G. #500 is with VAQ-142, The Gray Wolves.
Slow down the playback speed. I thought it was a 1 wire too. However, at slow speed you can see the hook miss the one wire. In fact, it catches the 4 wire.
Hook skip 4-wire
Power power!! Power!!!
I've worked in worse conditions covered in oil freezing. After seeing that, the risk those dudes take to land a jet plane and protecting you yanks, I'm overpaid and have it good, very good. Thanks for your efforts.
If this was the 2020 deployment, I remember this day. They went up before the rain really kicked in. Almost all the aircraft boltered on their first go around to come in. They canceled flight ops once we recovered everyone. Thanks for sharing, interesting seeing this from this perspective.
Wow. I'm so impressed at the skill each of these sailors possesses. Hard to imagine landing a plane under those conditions on an aircraft carrier.
Question for those of you familiar with this. Next to the LSO is someone with VAQ-142 on their back, also on the RT talking to the pilot, I assume, obviously because the Growler is from that Squadron. I notice that there are others with different squadron numbers, so is there a LSO assistant from each squadron because of the differing landing characteristics of each plane type?
Every squadron that has an aircraft on that recovery will have an LSO on the platform and usually the airwing or asst airwing LSO. Each squadron LSO knows their pilots voices and their strengths and weaknesses.
Most squadrons have at least 2 LSO. They rotate duties so one is on the platform every recovery every other flight day and fly on the alternate days. They are there to observe the landing behavior of every aircraft in the inventory. They are the controlling LSO during at least one recovery even with the CAG LSO backing them up. Becoming an LSO is a choice and is a true apprenticeship job in the Navy. The LSOs are responsible for conducting field carrier landing practice (FCLPs) to maintain carrier approach proficiency during periods of shore duty.
@@brucelaughton3108 Is being an LSO viewed as beneficial to a pilot's professional development, or is it just one of those things that's cool to do?
@@gregheyheyhey The LSOs volunteer for the duty and they are usually regarded as among the best pilots in their squadron. Then there is the "being where the action is" motivator. They all endure the good, the bad and the ugly working conditions and enjoy the respect of their fellow pilots. Hearing loss is one of the biggest sacrifices they make. As far as being "cool" I don't think that enters into is - at least it didn't for me.
@@brucelaughton3108 Thanks, I should have been more judicious in my word choice. By "cool" I meant your "being where the action is" definition, aka where people want to be.
Pure Courage and Smarts to be a Naval Aviator! This looks like it could have been a scene from a Hollywood movie!
Not just that, but a metric ton of practice, practice, practice. Constant repetitive practice.
Having a mustache is a must for bad weather landing.
VAQ 142…Grey Wolves are badass..Grim’s earning their money and flight times in the worst of conditions. Respect.
Reminds me of my youth when I worked on the flight deck of the illustrious USS Coral Sea. We were a lot smaller and definitely more antiquated than the TR.
Like a Dwarf?
Navy flight jocks have balls of Titanium. The technology of landing on carriers has evolved incredibly, but sheer courage is unmatched. And, those sky warriors do it everyday.
Planes haven't gotten any smaller or slower and FLT decks haven't gotten any bigger since the late 50s
Sheer absolute guts and professionalism. Love it.
That looks miserably awesome.
Perfect flying conditions... 50 meters sight, thick fog like peasoup and gusts of rain.
Thanks to all servicemen and women that do that impossible job everyday. Much respect.
I didn’t see any women. Did you?
@@daveware3936 You don’t think women serve this country, including on aircraft carriers? I am deeply grateful for all who serve this country.
@@ellavaderknows I know they do but it’s just all PC driven. There are many sailors that are taken off of aircraft carriers due to pregnancy.
Stupidest idea in the world is to have 18 year old men and women serving on any combat ship.
Military preparedness should be primary. Not scoring PC points.
And back to my previous question. Did you see any women in that video?
@@daveware3936 Back to my original comment, thanking all of the men and women who serve and do that impossible job everyday. Your mom would be ashamed of you, for thinking so little of women.
This is why the US is the most powerful country in the world. What an awe-inspiring technology.
Mad respect. I can't imagine a more stressful landing scenario. Semper Fi. 👍👍👍🇺🇲
Here's one: this, but at night.
@@dogboy0912 guys your forgetting about that they could have also attempted to land with bits missing from their aircarft
@@kfirgoboom8654 true, landing on the boat with an emergency is its own ballgame as well. Some considerations change vs landing on a big long, static runway devoid of deck personnel.
Physiological studies done in Vietnam showed the pilot's heart rate was the highest when trying to land on the carrier at night or foul weather. Dodging flak, SAMs or MiGs was not as stressful.
Marty Feldman: "Could be worse."
Gene Wilder: "How?"
That's teamwork, commitment and balls!.
I have only started watching aircraft carriers and I am hooked.God Bless all the personnel.❤
Amazing stuff. Just, awe-inspiring.
Man I really respect what my dad did landing on carriers in the F-14
Parking attendant))
After landing aboard in the back seat, these people in the front seat earn my utmost respect, these are the cream or the cream pilots.
Call the ball! Mavericks reply - what ball man? I can't see a ship!
Very brave men and women 😍
Ok, it's really interesting, but I have so many questions:
- Why don't they have a nice little hut, so they won't get wet in such weather?
- What are those things the two guys hold in their hands and why do they have to hold them above their heads?
- What is the guy on the left hollering all the time?
- Why does it need seven guys on deck to help landing the jet?
Oh so landing a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier can have more elements of crazy than I was already aware of. Got it.
As a student pilot in diddy little Cessnas, I was told 'if it looks like the weather might turn bad before your planned landing time, stay in the clubhouse'. I suspect that operational pilots don't have that choice.
What does the one LSO keep calling out every 20 seconds or so? Sounds like "Called-it!"
The sing-song sounding call is: FOUL DECK. Meaning the landing area isn't ready for a trap. The LSOs signify they understand by holding the "pickle" over their heads. Once everything is ready the call is CLEAR DECK and the LSOs drop the pickles to waist level.
sounds like someone had too much to drink and is doing some bad karaoke tunes... kind of makes sense for someone to shout "Foul Deck".....when the deck is fouled.
What does the pickle in his hand do?
@@dj6769 If the LSO wants to wave off the aircraft, he squeezes the trigger on the pickle switch and the red wave off lights above the fresnel lens (meatball) start flashing. The LSO may also say "wave off" over the radio to the pilot.
No one except the pilots and LSOs that experienced that day can understand how hard that was. Everyone just assumes it will all work out. For the pilots AND the LSOs it is terrifying. Terrifying is routine for our Navy. The reason it works is training. I've been the pilot, and I've been the LSO. When you're both highly trained, and terrified all the time - the result is usually brilliant.
It's holy crap I watched this twice and I still couldn't tell if they got trapped or boltered. When he actually landed it he kicked up so much spray it looked like he boltered, but later on in the video it looks like hes maneuvering on the deck and landed... I had to come to the comments figure out what actually happened. Intense.
If you watch really closely when he lands you can make out one of the cables extending. Looks like the 4 wire to me.
I slowed it down to .25 and it looks like he touched down before the 1 wire (at least the hook hits before the 1 wire), but it looks like it caught the 2 wire. But you’re right; it’s really hard to tell with all the water splash. Gutsy stuff!
@@keirfarnum6811 Definitely a taxi 1-wire pass that hook skipped to a later wire (looks like a 3 or 4 wire, hard to tell). Under normal circumstances, this would automatically earn the pilot a grade of "no grade" for this pass, but considering the conditions, hopefully the LSO's would show some mercy and give the guy a "fair".
@@tonk4967 It was the 4-wire - you can see 1 through 3 still across the deck as the jet slows.
always hard to tell for sure from that position as they'll stick the throttle to AB as soon as they touch so they don't spend a full second trying to figure out if they caught a wire or not.
To this non-aviator, it's amazing that anybody could get back aboard ship in conditions like that.
That’s some crazy landing. Obviously excellent pilots and deck crew.
This is so badass! Mad props to these dudes!
Love to hear a breakdown of what was occurring during that clip.
First aircraft comes in extremely low and traps the one wire. Very close to a ramp strike. LSOs are talking about the landing. There is a foul deck with crews moving some aircraft across the forward end of the landing area. At the end of the video, the air boss calls to strip the 4 wire which the arresting gear crew moves to accomplish.
I think the first aircraft was a bolter. If you replay frame by frame you can see that it did not catch any wire.
Edit: it seems it stopped somehow (so no bolter), but at 0:49 it looks like it did not catch any of the first three wires.
@@michaelmappin4425 What does it mean to strip a wire?
@@victorsullivan7238 strip means to remove it from service, meaning that there will be one fewer to trap on. This is usually a maintenance issue. Swap wires means they will be changing the cross deck pendant (the above deck part) for a new one. They have to do that every 100 traps.
@@michaelmappin4425 Thanks, learn something new every day. If the aircraft 'trapped' the one wire, why did it still bolter?
Every time I've seen footage from an aircraft carrier flight deck, it's always a sunny day with clear blue skies. It never occurred to me that they operated in these conditions. 🤦🏽♂️
Each man with a job to do. Each man totally focused. Outstanding.
I honestly thought this was a game cutscene based on the thumbnail and still thought so for a solid while. Incredible video, the muted colours, uniforms and great moustaches makes it feel like it's much older than I assume it is.
Well you can tell the difference between a smooth day with smooth waters, sun up, no clouds and a balmy wind and this sheer form of terror. The LSO´s are really concentrated and dont slack.
Wow, very impressive. I wonder what the outside temperature was during this?
They didn't have gloves or hats on so I'd say air temperatures over 70 degrees F? There's a 10 - 20 degree temperature due to a 20mph wind from the front.
Nice sunny days must be a joy to be on the deck calling planes in. Then you get days like this that make you regret you ever heard the word "Navy".
These guys have nerves of steel. Pilots and crew, all of em.
very cinematic!
This reminds me of monsoon season during Vietnam war on the USS KITTY HAWK, makes you understand how dangerous flight deck is, and what crews and pilots deal with. Proud to have served with the BEST. ABE2 MIKE GEARY CAT ONE PETTY OFFICER. 71-72
Get over Moche Grondy)))
First of all thanks for posting this video because whenever i have seen carrier landing videos it is all based in nice weather it looks cinematic but when i see this man you are doing one of the toughest job out their. Thanks for your service. Long live democracy.
Hats off to these guys. Unbelievable how they coordinate all these highly risky manoeuvres in such extreme conditions.
Theres always that one guy on their phone while everyone else is working 🙄
Damn not long enough. Absolutely outstanding thank you but longer next time lol😎😎😎
They had to strip the 4 wire. Takes a bit of time to do. That’s why all the Paddles groaned when it was said over the flight deck. No one has time for that.
Air Force Vet here. Wear that hearing protection and cushioned helmet or your ears will ring 24/7 and you'll have headaches for the rest of your life. Jet thrust emits 134,000 lbs of pressure and 150+ decibels which is enough to cause lasting hearing damage and a minor brain shake concussion.
Existing 1960's helmets offer limited head, brain, and hearing protection.
I've seen so many of these landing videos but all in good weather. What a difference.
Can someone tell me what the two gentlemen are holding in there right hands? Some sort of trigger button? And may I add....
Honestly unbeatable. No one will ever match your carrier operations! Love having you guys Downunder 🇦🇺
That is the trigger to wave an aircraft off if their flight regime isn't suited for a safe landing. It changes the "meatball" indicator to a flashing X indicating that the pilot must abort the landing
Thanks for letting our Marines rotate in the top end! ANZUS power!!!
@@arrow-flight what were they yelling out? couldn't understand, sorry not native English speaker.
@@Irwin7488 From what I have heard he is shouting "Fooooooooooouuuuuul deck" to ensure the other LSOs know that they cannot land other aircraft until the deck is clear.
@@arrow-flight thanks.
Wow, that is the most impressive carrier video I have seen ever. And it must be very reassuring when you can relay on such a team.
May be someone can answer my question: There is someone shouting regularly, I think it is the man in the upper left corner. What does he shout and why?
I'm also interested in knowing this
@@ivant56 Me too. Sounded like two syllable word(s)
"Foul Deck!" Let's the LSOs facing aft know that the deck is not clear and that landings should not be attempted.
I DROPPED MY WALLET
Why? He wanted it back.
That is some wicked shit! Balls of steel.