While us Pro Supers and crew, start post-flight, refueling, take your debriefs and repair and pre-flight, all in a night's work. 😁 We have coordination too, BUT our revetments don't move, AND there is no pesky airplanes landing on our 'taxiways'.😁
Here you get clubbed then go to the bar and get hammered a couple of months later. (If you're lucky) I always knew there would come a day when a 4.0 wouldn't be good enough for the Navy. Do they send Chiefs mess cooking now?
I retired as a Navy Air Traffic Controller when the F-18 pushed the F-14 out (😭), and spent time on 5 carriers (et. al.). I truly enjoy watching your great content from the pilot's point of view. I also enjoyed telling officers what to do! 🤣 What a beautiful day for CQ - all they needed was the 3 wire anyway! Thanks for your Service, your amazing content and be safe out there defending out freedom Shipmate!!!
@@billgrabher444 My dad was Commo on Ike from 91-93. It was his second tour aboard her in that role. He retired off of her in 93, when she was in the yards.
I'm not military, I'm not a pilot, and I love this stuff so much. The teamwork is phenomenal. The teamwork is what I keep coming back for. They're all there because it's their job, but the conviction of the team is palpable just from watching. I can sense the passion they all have for the smallest detail of their jobs. I love this stuff so much. Did I say that? It makes me emotional.
@@GrowlerJamsHey, I just watched Ward Carrol’s channel about the ‘98 crash on Enterprise that was the origin of the LSO that faces forward watching the LA and calls the 100ft vs 10ft. Very tragic reminder of how dangerous flight ops is despite how you guys make it look so mundane cuz of your skills. ua-cam.com/video/yYTm_u5zjAA/v-deo.htmlsi=TL4YPqwhhhSuMRN7
One of those T-45 just hit the 1 million flight hours mark!. By the way, Miami Florida is near 25 N, 80 W…..so that carrier was just off the east coast of Florida, north of Miami. Thanks for sharing. Semper Fi!
This is why you all are called aviators! Not just pilots. As I have heard or been told many, many times, "Just about anybody can land on a non-moving, 10,000 ft runway. To trap about a moving ship, at night, no moon, with the sea being nasty, that takes an aviator." Nice going, Sir, with the whole lesson taught in this video.
Thanks for the call on these ops. My Son just wrapped Multi phase at NAS Corpus and is in PCS status down to Kingsville, TX to start the T-45 training. Super proud and super excited for him. He is designated E2-Hawkeye!
Best wishes to your boy! My son did his Advanced Jet Training in these same T-45's in Kingsville in 2018 and 2019, getting his wings in June 2019. He's a Marine Jet Pilot now. The Navy and Marine pilots (both men and women) I've met thru him are sure impressive. Thanks to all who serve to keep our freedoms safe!
Aviate, navigate, communicate... Crisp, clear and concise. I've never heard anyone narrate the ballet that is carrier aviation operations better than Pail. Amazing pilot. Great channel. Carry on. 💯
The explanations are first class. You have the ability to synthesize information and present it on a level for us neophytes to ride along with you. Those are some of the identifying characteristics of a very fine Instructor; not every instructor can do this.
I've watched many LSO platform videos and podcasts. You are the first to fully explain the grading system in detail -- thank you! I had heard the 100 foot callout, but could never tell what they were doing and why. Now I know. OBTW, I helped build that ship. I was shift test engineer in charge of number 1 reactor plant for initial criticality. I got to stand on the LSO platform during sea trials when they flew an A-6 down to a 10-foot waveoff to demonstrate the autothrottle capability. It was AWESOOOOOME!!!!
I'm a Marine enlisted that did a couple Dets with an A-6E squadron on the Kennedy back in 79-80. It's funny how flight deck ops have barely changed! Thanks for some good memories. I think the same guys were on the LSO platform 😏
41 for freedom! TYFYS I had the privilege to serve as Chop on ALABAMA (SSBN 731 Blue). Didn’t have the privilege of interacting much with CVNs until I retired and worked as a government contractor for the Navy. The ballet that is carrier flight operations is truly impressive. Even more impressive is the way that Pail provides easy to understand narrative to the action. TYFYS as well.
I still cannot fathom the logistics of it all. I love all of the hand signals and communication from the flight and ground crew to not tie up verbal comms. From starting an APU to chalk and chaining an aircraft, amazing. So much redundancy is built in that I can only imagine were learned from lessons with less than favorable outcomes. Thank you so much for giving us an appreciation of what yall do and what it takes to keep the machine going.
It haa developed over the decades and has changed some since my carrier aviation days (1966-1970) because the deck on the modern carrier is bigger and has more moving parts. It appears that the students get more traps than we did. I had traps in three different aircraft and four different outfits - T-28, TS-2A and S-2E. We only got two traps in the training birds and three while in the transition squadron in the S-2E. We also got some deck time with the USS Essex who was transiting past NAS Norfolk while we were between carriers (USS Randolph had been decommissioned and we were waiting for the USS Yorktown). We got on day of deck time for the entire air group but had to use their LSOs who were giving us late cuts. We had more bolters in the squadron that day than we had experienced in the preceding 5 years. I got my first 2 (and only ones) in my career. Of course in the S-2E we were a lot slower (95 knots in the groove) than today's birds.
Awesome video, as usual. ❤ I was yelling too. "GET OUTTA DA WAY!" 😬 Coulda been bad for sure. My ex was Navy and told me about people getting in the way; sucked up into engines, blown off or hit 😢 I hope it happens less as hopefully Navy has learned how to keep their members more safe over the decades of ops. Fly Navy. Stay safe and Happy 4th! Thank you ALL for your service ❤🤍💙🇺🇸❤🤍💙
15 months on westpac cruises, numerous carrier qual's etc, I have never seen a "serious" flight deck incident ...of course there was minor stuff but didnt involve serious injury. "Keep your head out of your ass and know whats going on around you" ...complacency was probably the biggest culprit which I can personally atest to ...overall, the training and professionalism, the flight deck is a somewhat safe environment considering the monsters (planes, equipment, ordnance) you are working next to.
I'm a citizen of a land-locked country (Switzerland) and I watch Growler Jams' Videos with great fascination. His calm and professional explanations makle it easier for a land-lubber to follow and understand the complex operations and team-work on a Carrier. These CARQuals must be an adrelanin pumping experience for the young Aviators.
Thanks for the videos. My brother is a retired Naval Aviator. Flew F-18's and F-5's (Adversary Squadron at Top-Gun). I appreciate the videos that give me a small glimpse of what he may have went through many years ago.
It’s an amazing coincidence that right after watching this I watched Mooch and Hozer talk to the pilot of an S-3 that somehow survived (and his right seater) a Prowler landing on top of him on the Enterprise in 1998. Emphasizes how crucial a deck watcher is. Sadly, the Prowler crew did not survive.
WAYBACK MACHINE: I was on the original McDonell Douglas team and I authored the original FTI's for half of the UJPT and IT curricula for the T45 at Kingsville. They were doing this on the Lex in the gulf when I was there...yeah, old-timer I know. I'd do it all again given the opportunity. What a blast that was. Thanks for sharing and bringing back the memories! With one shaking hand on the LSO shack door handle watching newbies come down during their first FCLPs...TF.
My older brother worked flight deck on Carl Vinson '86-90'. Told me NOTHING he's ever experienced was as scary as his first few weeks on the deck. The noise, the controlled chaos, the amount of concentration you had to maintain to keep from being sucked into a jet's intake or being blown the length of the deck by exhaust...or simply walking off the edge of the carrier. Thanks to your channel, which I think is the most engrossing channel on UA-cam, I get to experience it first hand during this training gauntlet, no less. I love this stuff! Again THANK YOU SO MUCH for putting these online. Fly safe my brother.
Another awesome video Pail. I never tire of watching carrier landings and cat shots but your commentary always makes it a tad more enjoyable! Stay safe and Fly Navy.
I can just imagine the fear and nervousness of these pilots as they try to get their wings while doing one of the most difficult manuevers imaginable. I hope all of them made it. God bless our servicemen and women. Happy Independence Day!🇺🇲
Veteran Naval Aviator here, 1955 - 2024, carrier qualification 1956 in the SNJ. Flew FJ-4B's in the fleet and had over 110 traps, including 10 night landings. I never experienced any fear because I was well trained and knew others had done this. I will admit to some anxiety until I had actually made some traps, more with night ops in the fleet. Anyone ever tell you night work around the boat is fun is crazy or not telling you the truth. I will say it is, to this day, the most satisfying or rewarding thing I've ever done in my life. It requires 100% concentration. I'll be 90 in 4 months and still haven't seen anything to compare to my almost 9 years in the USN aviation!d
Hey “Pail” I can’t get enough of this LSO narrative. I can’t begin to fathom the difficulty of landing the T45 on a carrier and getting good grades by the LSO’s. All I can say is, keep sharing your narration on the Carrier Qualification. I absolutely love this stuff. Cheers J
love this fella. Brilliant content. If you could do more on how the flight deck works, that would be fantastic. It's really interesting to watch. Be nice to take a trade at a time and go through their day. follow them as they work. Thank you for the effort in doing these videos. They are great. I really enjoy them. You're such a professional fella. I'm a UK helicopter engineer, so love this stuff.
Oh to be young and challenging myself with that kind of training. My flight training was one of the best years of my life. I know it can be stressful and everyone is pushing for the slot they want, but it's still such a wonderful time. You will remember it for the rest of your life.
That was a great watch, my pops was part of the McDonnell Douglas team for the T-45 program (aeronautical engineer). He had the chance for a carrier landing during trials/tests, and he loved it.
sir, i'm a Marine air winger (1970s) worked in the flight equipment shop (PR). great videos!! narration is great and right on target. keep'em coming! dont think folks without NAVAIR experience can truly appreciate all the training and education required to be an aviator or maintenance guy.........Semper Fi!! i'll keep watching. its addictive......
I flew the CH-46 on active duty and again in the Marine Reserves throughout the 1970s. Wouldn't have launched on any mission without teamwork from some outstanding crew chiefs AND wearing the correct flight equipment. Thanks for what you did. (Drives me nuts to see jet pilots flying with the sleeves rolled up!)
Great video....details you just don't see anywhere else.....I love the double and triple checking of everybody and everything....nice job with the clear and concise explanations...Thank you
The MH-60S landing on spot 7 reminds me of when I was based at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii, and we did joint training on the Stennis to train to do ops from a carrier environment. We had about 10 UH-60Ls and one EH-60A and a UH-60Q from the MEDEVAC unit. A way different operating environment than we were used to but it was good training. Fly Army. Hooah.
I'm retired Navy and my son is an Air Force pilot and former T-bird Boss. We have had many conversations comparing Air Force pilots to Naval Aviators. He always credits the aviators with the incredibly hard job of landing on a carrier. It's a tribute to the great training and experience of all Navy aviation personnel. I always learn so much watching your videos. Keep them coming, and maybe you know "Brick".
I missed my calling in '89 as I was told by the recruiter I could be stationed on a CVN out of San Diego. Instead I decided to attend college and get my PPL. Oh well, at least we get to live vicariously with Growler smashing it one video after another! Keep 'em comin !
So cool, Pail. Great narration. I kept imagining them pushing that plane right off the edge of the ship and into the water at the end! Please keep making these videos. Your efforts are appreciated. Fly Navy!
It's nice to see this video and the channel. I've been retired as an ABH1 for 10 years but still remember my time on a CV as if it was yesterday. CQ off San Diego made for long days and night but it was necessary for a safe deployment in the future. Luckily we didn't have any major accidents or problems. When I was asked as an instructor later in my career by my students if anything bad happen, I was happy to say no because that meant we ran a safe flight deck . Thank you for the video, your service and you just got a new subscriber here.
Enjoyed watching this video, always learn something! I was very fortunate to have grown up in Norfolk, VA ... lol, once, after church, my dad took us boys to Va Beach to see the Blue Angels. We were all in our white shirts, standing on the boardwalk, watching as the F4-Phanthoms flew by in a low and slow formation, streams of red, white and blue trailing behind them ... after the show, our white shirts were now colored with red, white and blue speckles!
As a former A-4 pilot 68’69’70’ then airlines now 81. I truly enjoy the way you present your videos. No typical PR crap, just the way it is sitting in the jet and around the boat. I see you are doing an overview like student CQ. Suggestion. I found my old sand blower routes I did going through the RAG at 125 in 1967. I wonder on your future do list, that you might go through flying a low level route. Basic planning, and what its like in the cockpit. I’m sure you are using the magnet line and not 1/250 strip charts. When I see videos, as in TG Maverick, they just do not seem real as to what it was like in the cockpit. Thanks for do these
Worked on the IKE in 78-79 first Med cruise night ops as an AT. on A7Es. Thanks for the narration of details. Keep them safe because I know it is dangerous, and things can go wrong so fast. Saying that the experience I learned from working that job paved the future of my life.
Watching all these young pilots made me nervous. They have so much on the line career wise and I really want to see them all pass with flying colors . You are the explainer n chief Pail, nobody can do it better than you. Thanks for all you do. I’m so proud of our Navy. Stay well.🥂
I'm terrible at this in DCS (a PC flight sim) even after a lot of study and practice. I think I have 1 OK in the Hornet and T-45 out of an absurd number of attempts. Getting the Tomcat aboard is a whole 'nother challenge. Playing around on a computer really adds to the respect I have for Navy/Marine aviators. Great video!
I met a bunch of the trainees and instructors at Meridian on my flight home from Oklahoma and buying my small Beechcraft. Those guys were so chill. It was great getting to park next to them for the night! They were all interested in my plane and wanted to talk shop. That was the childhood dream growing up in Pensacola but hey, life didn't deal me 20/20 vision. Keep these up buddy!
Love the energy in this upload. Miss the signature move …but will allow it for all the information I’m learning. Thank you for your service and Happy 4th. We couldn’t be ourselves without guys like you! 💕
It feels genuinely good to see professionals at work. Extremely inspiring. They have to be good because it's a lot of steel moving fast, your margin of error is razor-thin and things go bad in a hell of a hurry. You know what I'm thinking? The Chinese, who are just learning what this thing called an aircraft carrier is, are watching these videos to learn how you do that: operating the flight deck of a carrier. The Chinese, we've seen plenty of examples, like to take shortcuts when it comes to regulations and procedures. You can't do that on an aircraft carrier. That is, you CAN do that, but you're going to regret it in short order. The US Navy has been doing it for centuries [counting all carriers and their experience], they know what they're doing. All the things they do are lessons learned the hard way. I'm not a big fan of the practice of the military but seeing professionals at work never gets old. I totally agree with the seriousness of the grading system: it's an Olympic performance every time you do it. The risk never diminishes, you have to get it right every time. Serious respect, people!
Excellent work as always. You take a high stress activity and environment, explain it flawlessly and produce accessible videos which are detailed enough for the enthusiast but also entertaining for everyone.
I initially thought he meant they weren't capable of it, but then when he was specific about what we WOULD see, I figured he meant "there aren't any in this video"
I wish I had thought of doing this when I was younger. I'm proud of my time in the Marines, but the thought of wearing wings and catapulting off of a carrier just captures my imagination. You're living the dream!
WOW ~ Your videos are so interesting! I have ZERO KNOWLEDGE in what's shown, but you certainly have captured my interest. It's such a pleasure to learn everything you share about your obvious expertise. Thank you so much!
i spent 5 years on that ship. i knew a couple officers that would mess with the trainers, like turning on ciws 24 radar while they were on approach. really like the safety gear that officers opt for during flight operations.
that was literally one of the stunning Ops I've seen in your channel! couldn't take my eyes off this video.. didn't even fast forward but sat tight and kept watching this ops.. thanks for sharing this kinda stuff with us and looking forward to watching another interesting ops!
The only bad part of these videos is that they end! I could watch flight ops on a carrier all day! Nice voice over Pail! I think their getting it! Fly Navy!
VF-126 taught youngsters their first Jet Instrument ACM after initial jet training. TA-4 jets . 1973 Miramar, I was a Plane Captain. Great Times ! Great Video !
Awesome video and explanations. Nice seeing those two extra deck hands run across and help on that pushback @ 9:16 , nice when everyone steps in and helps out !
Don’t stop what you’re doing, your video’s are very enjoyable. Having never been in the Navy, it is very interesting to see how well a very complicated operation such as landing and taking off from an aircraft carrier is conducted. Everyone involved is very well trained on how to do their jobs, from the deck hands to the pilots to everyone else on the ship to make it perform as well as it does. Thank you for taking the time to put your video’s together. We’re from Missouri
Really enjoy the content of these videos. Worked for cnatra for years but your videos explain a lot of deck procedures that was outside my department. Sucks they took away buy you a beer ! 😮
Good video, Pail! As an old Army guy, I love my Navy! Both the Navy ships I sailed on as cargo are now either scrapped (USS Paul Revere) or serving as an artificial reef 55 miles northwest of Hawaii (USS Ogden) after being sunk by the Royal Norwegian Navy during RIMPAC 2014. I would have loved being a Navy pilot, but my vision was and is crap.
You do an excellent explanation of the CQ. I learned alot of what my son went through getting his CQ. Proud Dad will brag that he had 100% on boarding rate and earned the Top Hook award for his class. Thanks for your service Sir!
Absolutely love your channel. How in thr F**k you can land on on a moving postage stamp? Moving, pitching, windy, raining and at night? Seeing these students training for their future makes me happy for them.
Without brilliant explanations like this as to how much is going on at any given time on a carrier deck, it would be very difficult to comprehend what a synchronised effort everything is. Amazing work by all!
I Remember many days of calling the ball, on CV 11 Lady Lex. I was a plane captain F-9s. The Lexington is now a museum in Corpus Christi. When I went aboard shortly after it was set up. The OOD greeted me with an Honor! When heard I had served on that Carrier, he gave me permission to show my family around , beyond the barricades.
@@beckyumphrey2626 on my off shift time I was spending time in the squadron ready room, helping keep records on the traps, bolter, and with calling the Ball! Remember .. I was in a training Squadron, VA44 with limited personnel. We helped when and where it was needed, 1960's.
Fantastic “on the job piece”, loved every second of it, every little detail. Can feel my mind groaning, trying to connect all the dots. Time, space, tech, rules, people. Great stuff
I'm a retired U.S.Navy Aircrewman/Rescue Swimmer. 5 major deployments, Desert Shield/Storm, total of 5 yrs actual sea time. This video brought so many good memories and not so good . Be safe out there.
This is top level quality content. Im still thinking how you gained permission to share all of this and other videos! Amaizing work, and boy your voice and narrative is just soo nice even for us non native english speake. Also, DAT Ass... ahahahahahha!!!
My grandson has been ATC in Kingsville for few years...prior was on Stennis for a few... moving to Norfolk and in line for LDO... so thankful for your wonderful commentary...
Love seeing these students get their first carrier landings in! Hopefully I’ll be in their shoes here in the next few years after I graduate from college and go to OTS! One question, are carrier operations one of the final parts of their training before being winged? Fly Navy!
Wow, just so much that has to line up just perfect for aircraft to land on the carrier, you bring it to another level of YIKES, those 2 that were in the way holy moly too scary,, Thank you Pail for letting us be right there and kudos to the students that made their traps in this Jam,
Pail, good stuff. I’m a retired Prowler pilot, paddles, and Rampage skipper still working as a civilian at CNAP for the Air Boss. I CQ’d in CNATRA back in the day in T-2s on Big E and in TA-4Js on Lady Lex. Great to see the young breed in a jet that itself won’t be around a whole lot longer. I’m guessing the deck caller with the 100ft/10ft calls came after Kurt Barich’s mishap in 1998 where the LSOs failed to wave him off on a foul deck and he hit the S-3. Can you confirm? Keep the VAQ and CVN love going, brother. You’re a great narrator. ⚓️ VR Baron BvP
Sir, each one of your videos is such a treat ! I adore all those explanations about the industry behind making an aircraft carrier works efficiently. Thank you very much !
@@nightflight1454 Apples & oranges. The smooth talking 'Pail' is what is happening today. 'Mooch' knows the history, incidents, and people that changed procedures. He knows a lot of brass(active & ret'd who know the past & present efforts to reduce pilot workload.
Waving the passes at night was more stressful at times than actually flying the passes. LSO’s earn their Flight Deck and Hazardous Duty Pay on foul weather, pitching deck, blue water nights. Then add MOVLAS.
I found it challenging enough to land on a perfectly stationary runway, at least initially, landing on a moving ship would scare the crap out of me. For some reason I was better at night landings, those never bothered me but other students at the training facility seemed to struggle with them so I guess everyone has their own skills and daemons. Perhaps because the airplane rental was significantly cheaper after sunset and money was tight so I had a lot of night hours. I admire the skills of Naval Aviators and the deck crews are "Pros" too, so much going on in so little space in a compressed time period. It is something to behold so I love these videos. I spent 20 minutes jammed in an MRI machine the other day and every time I felt myself getting anxious I remembered to wiggle my fingers and toes! Damn that works great, thanks for that little tip.
Pail: Thanks for sharing. I learned some new terms today. One thing: The Deck Caller was looking forward, right? Or do they change fore and aft for the LSOs?
For us AF guys, this level of coordination and maneuvering is somewhat overwhelming. We just land and taxi to a spot and go to the club!
While us Pro Supers and crew, start post-flight, refueling, take your debriefs and repair and pre-flight, all in a night's work. 😁 We have coordination too, BUT our revetments don't move, AND there is no pesky airplanes landing on our 'taxiways'.😁
👍😄
Then off to your dorm the maid service cleans... :)
We had maids in the UK barracks for E4 and above
Here you get clubbed then go to the bar and get hammered a couple of months later. (If you're lucky)
I always knew there would come a day when a 4.0 wouldn't be good enough for the Navy.
Do they send Chiefs mess cooking now?
I retired as a Navy Air Traffic Controller when the F-18 pushed the F-14 out (😭), and spent time on 5 carriers (et. al.). I truly enjoy watching your great content from the pilot's point of view. I also enjoyed telling officers what to do! 🤣 What a beautiful day for CQ - all they needed was the 3 wire anyway! Thanks for your Service, your amazing content and be safe out there defending out freedom Shipmate!!!
Which boats? IKE CATCC 89-92
@@billgrabher444 IKE CATCC - 84-86 (the old NTDS and SPN 42)
Saratoga, Forrestal, Nimitz, Kennedy and Enterprise. I probably passed you at sea. Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate!!!
@@billgrabher444 My dad was Commo on Ike from 91-93. It was his second tour aboard her in that role. He retired off of her in 93, when she was in the yards.
CATCC68 and 71 here.
I'm not military, I'm not a pilot, and I love this stuff so much. The teamwork is phenomenal. The teamwork is what I keep coming back for. They're all there because it's their job, but the conviction of the team is palpable just from watching. I can sense the passion they all have for the smallest detail of their jobs. I love this stuff so much. Did I say that? It makes me emotional.
Cheers!
@@GrowlerJamsHey, I just watched Ward Carrol’s channel about the ‘98 crash on Enterprise that was the origin of the LSO that faces forward watching the LA and calls the 100ft vs 10ft. Very tragic reminder of how dangerous flight ops is despite how you guys make it look so mundane cuz of your skills.
ua-cam.com/video/yYTm_u5zjAA/v-deo.htmlsi=TL4YPqwhhhSuMRN7
One of those T-45 just hit the 1 million flight hours mark!. By the way, Miami Florida is near 25 N, 80 W…..so that carrier was just off the east coast of Florida, north of Miami. Thanks for sharing. Semper Fi!
This is why you all are called aviators! Not just pilots. As I have heard or been told many, many times, "Just about anybody can land on a non-moving, 10,000 ft runway. To trap about a moving ship, at night, no moon, with the sea being nasty, that takes an aviator."
Nice going, Sir, with the whole lesson taught in this video.
You can wipe your lips off now.
@@BILLYGGRUFF-bx9lx You can pucker up and kiss me brownie now.
@@BILLYGGRUFF-bx9lxD1 hater
@@BILLYGGRUFF-bx9lx Oh my. We truly have a jealous Slurpee server here.
easy when y'all got autopilot
Thanks for the call on these ops. My Son just wrapped Multi phase at NAS Corpus and is in PCS status down to Kingsville, TX to start the T-45 training. Super proud and super excited for him. He is designated E2-Hawkeye!
Good stuff
E-2 is really nice looking aircraft. love it's wing fold design
Best wishes to your boy! My son did his Advanced Jet Training in these same T-45's in Kingsville in 2018 and 2019, getting his wings in June 2019. He's a Marine Jet Pilot now. The Navy and Marine pilots (both men and women) I've met thru him are sure impressive. Thanks to all who serve to keep our freedoms safe!
Aviate, navigate, communicate... Crisp, clear and concise. I've never heard anyone narrate the ballet that is carrier aviation operations better than Pail. Amazing pilot. Great channel. Carry on. 💯
Cheers!
The explanations are first class. You have the ability to synthesize information and present it on a level for us neophytes to ride along with you. Those are some of the identifying characteristics of a very fine Instructor; not every instructor can do this.
I've watched many LSO platform videos and podcasts. You are the first to fully explain the grading system in detail -- thank you! I had heard the 100 foot callout, but could never tell what they were doing and why. Now I know.
OBTW, I helped build that ship. I was shift test engineer in charge of number 1 reactor plant for initial criticality. I got to stand on the LSO platform during sea trials when they flew an A-6 down to a 10-foot waveoff to demonstrate the autothrottle capability. It was AWESOOOOOME!!!!
Nice.
Ask him to explain FNKUA or NAFOD.
I'm a Marine enlisted that did a couple Dets with an A-6E squadron on the Kennedy back in 79-80. It's funny how flight deck ops have barely changed! Thanks for some good memories. I think the same guys were on the LSO platform 😏
TYFYS.
As a former submariner, SSBN598 (the submergible GW), I am fascinated by your content. Great Job as usual.
TYFYS.
41 for freedom! TYFYS
I had the privilege to serve as Chop on ALABAMA (SSBN 731 Blue). Didn’t have the privilege of interacting much with CVNs until I retired and worked as a government contractor for the Navy. The ballet that is carrier flight operations is truly impressive. Even more impressive is the way that Pail provides easy to understand narrative to the action. TYFYS as well.
I still cannot fathom the logistics of it all. I love all of the hand signals and communication from the flight and ground crew to not tie up verbal comms. From starting an APU to chalk and chaining an aircraft, amazing. So much redundancy is built in that I can only imagine were learned from lessons with less than favorable outcomes. Thank you so much for giving us an appreciation of what yall do and what it takes to keep the machine going.
It haa developed over the decades and has changed some since my carrier aviation days (1966-1970) because the deck on the modern carrier is bigger and has more moving parts. It appears that the students get more traps than we did. I had traps in three different aircraft and four different outfits - T-28, TS-2A and S-2E. We only got two traps in the training birds and three while in the transition squadron in the S-2E. We also got some deck time with the USS Essex who was transiting past NAS Norfolk while we were between carriers (USS Randolph had been decommissioned and we were waiting for the USS Yorktown). We got on day of deck time for the entire air group but had to use their LSOs who were giving us late cuts. We had more bolters in the squadron that day than we had experienced in the preceding 5 years. I got my first 2 (and only ones) in my career. Of course in the S-2E we were a lot slower (95 knots in the groove) than today's birds.
Awesome video, as usual. ❤ I was yelling too. "GET OUTTA DA WAY!" 😬 Coulda been bad for sure. My ex was Navy and told me about people getting in the way; sucked up into engines, blown off or hit 😢 I hope it happens less as hopefully Navy has learned how to keep their members more safe over the decades of ops. Fly Navy. Stay safe and Happy 4th! Thank you ALL for your service
❤🤍💙🇺🇸❤🤍💙
15 months on westpac cruises, numerous carrier qual's etc, I have never seen a "serious" flight deck incident ...of course there was minor stuff but didnt involve serious injury.
"Keep your head out of your ass and know whats going on around you" ...complacency was probably the biggest culprit which I can personally atest to ...overall, the training and professionalism, the flight deck is a somewhat safe environment considering the monsters (planes, equipment, ordnance) you are working next to.
I'm a citizen of a land-locked country (Switzerland) and I watch Growler Jams' Videos with great fascination. His calm and professional explanations makle it easier for a land-lubber to follow and understand the complex operations and team-work on a Carrier. These CARQuals must be an adrelanin pumping experience for the young Aviators.
Thanks for the videos. My brother is a retired Naval Aviator. Flew F-18's and F-5's (Adversary Squadron at Top-Gun). I appreciate the videos that give me a small glimpse of what he may have went through many years ago.
It’s an amazing coincidence that right after watching this I watched Mooch and Hozer talk to the pilot of an S-3 that somehow survived (and his right seater) a Prowler landing on top of him on the Enterprise in 1998. Emphasizes how crucial a deck watcher is. Sadly, the Prowler crew did not survive.
That incident was the driving force behind implementing the deck watcher.
@@douglasiles2024 I thought I heard them say that.
WAYBACK MACHINE: I was on the original McDonell Douglas team and I authored the original FTI's for half of the UJPT and IT curricula for the T45 at Kingsville. They were doing this on the Lex in the gulf when I was there...yeah, old-timer I know. I'd do it all again given the opportunity. What a blast that was. Thanks for sharing and bringing back the memories! With one shaking hand on the LSO shack door handle watching newbies come down during their first FCLPs...TF.
McDonnell
TYFYS!
My pops was on the T-45 program for McDD. Mostly out of Patuxent during tests.
Amazing mate, carrier operations must be studied by everybody, that is real coordination
This is the absolute best aviation content on UA-cam... Informative, entertaining, funny... God bless America! 🇺🇸🍻🇺🇸🍻
Man, your commentary is awesome! Thanks for this look into something us regular Joe's will never know. Loved it!
My older brother worked flight deck on Carl Vinson '86-90'. Told me NOTHING he's ever experienced was as scary as his first few weeks on the deck. The noise, the controlled chaos, the amount of concentration you had to maintain to keep from being sucked into a jet's intake or being blown the length of the deck by exhaust...or simply walking off the edge of the carrier. Thanks to your channel, which I think is the most engrossing channel on UA-cam, I get to experience it first hand during this training gauntlet, no less. I love this stuff! Again THANK YOU SO MUCH for putting these online. Fly safe my brother.
It's been 40 years since I did my first carrier qual, wish I had the cameras we have today. Thanks for the videos.
Another awesome video Pail. I never tire of watching carrier landings and cat shots but your commentary always makes it a tad more enjoyable! Stay safe and Fly Navy.
I can just imagine the fear and nervousness of these pilots as they try to get their wings while doing one of the most difficult manuevers imaginable. I hope all of them made it. God bless our servicemen and women. Happy Independence Day!🇺🇲
Some just flat out can't do it. It happens that way sometimes.
Veteran Naval Aviator here, 1955 - 2024, carrier qualification 1956 in the SNJ. Flew FJ-4B's in the fleet and had over 110 traps, including 10 night landings. I never experienced any fear because I was well trained and knew others had done this. I will admit to some anxiety until I had actually made some traps, more with night ops in the fleet. Anyone ever tell you night work around the boat is fun is crazy or not telling you the truth. I will say it is, to this day, the most satisfying or rewarding thing I've ever done in my life. It requires 100% concentration. I'll be 90 in 4 months and still haven't seen anything to compare to my almost 9 years in the USN aviation!d
Controlled CHAOS, but always "Safety First". Fly Navy!
*chaos
@@stevencramsie9172 thank you
Hey “Pail”
I can’t get enough of this LSO narrative.
I can’t begin to fathom the difficulty of landing the T45 on a carrier and getting good grades by the LSO’s.
All I can say is, keep sharing your narration on the Carrier Qualification. I absolutely love this stuff.
Cheers
J
🍻
love this fella. Brilliant content. If you could do more on how the flight deck works, that would be fantastic. It's really interesting to watch. Be nice to take a trade at a time and go through their day. follow them as they work. Thank you for the effort in doing these videos. They are great. I really enjoy them. You're such a professional fella. I'm a UK helicopter engineer, so love this stuff.
Oh to be young and challenging myself with that kind of training. My flight training was one of the best years of my life. I know it can be stressful and everyone is pushing for the slot they want, but it's still such a wonderful time. You will remember it for the rest of your life.
That was a great watch, my pops was part of the McDonnell Douglas team for the T-45 program (aeronautical engineer). He had the chance for a carrier landing during trials/tests, and he loved it.
sir, i'm a Marine air winger (1970s) worked in the flight equipment shop (PR). great videos!! narration is great and right on target. keep'em coming! dont think folks without NAVAIR experience can truly appreciate all the training and education required to be an aviator or maintenance guy.........Semper Fi!! i'll keep watching. its addictive......
Semper Fi.
I flew the CH-46 on active duty and again in the Marine Reserves throughout the 1970s. Wouldn't have launched on any mission without teamwork from some outstanding crew chiefs AND wearing the correct flight equipment. Thanks for what you did. (Drives me nuts to see jet pilots flying with the sleeves rolled up!)
Great video....details you just don't see anywhere else.....I love the double and triple checking of everybody and everything....nice job with the clear and concise explanations...Thank you
The US Carrier OPS are an orchestra of perfection
The MH-60S landing on spot 7 reminds me of when I was based at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii, and we did joint training on the Stennis to train to do ops from a carrier environment. We had about 10 UH-60Ls and one EH-60A and a UH-60Q from the MEDEVAC unit. A way different operating environment than we were used to but it was good training. Fly Army. Hooah.
I'm retired Navy and my son is an Air Force pilot and former T-bird Boss. We have had many conversations comparing Air Force pilots to Naval Aviators. He always credits the aviators with the incredibly hard job of landing on a carrier. It's a tribute to the great training and experience of all Navy aviation personnel. I always learn so much watching your videos. Keep them coming, and maybe you know "Brick".
Cheers!
I missed my calling in '89 as I was told by the recruiter I could be stationed on a CVN out of San Diego. Instead I decided to attend college and get my PPL. Oh well, at least we get to live vicariously with Growler smashing it one video after another! Keep 'em comin !
college for a private pilot license?
So cool, Pail. Great narration. I kept imagining them pushing that plane right off the edge of the ship and into the water at the end! Please keep making these videos. Your efforts are appreciated. Fly Navy!
It's nice to see this video and the channel. I've been retired as an ABH1 for 10 years but still remember my time on a CV as if it was yesterday. CQ off San Diego made for long days and night but it was necessary for a safe deployment in the future. Luckily we didn't have any major accidents or problems. When I was asked as an instructor later in my career by my students if anything bad happen, I was happy to say no because that meant we ran a safe flight deck . Thank you for the video, your service and you just got a new subscriber here.
Welcome aboard!
Enjoyed watching this video, always learn something! I was very fortunate to have grown up in Norfolk, VA ... lol, once, after church, my dad took us boys to Va Beach to see the Blue Angels. We were all in our white shirts, standing on the boardwalk, watching as the F4-Phanthoms flew by in a low and slow formation, streams of red, white and blue trailing behind them ... after the show, our white shirts were now colored with red, white and blue speckles!
As a former A-4 pilot 68’69’70’ then airlines now 81. I truly enjoy the way you present your videos. No typical PR crap, just the way it is sitting in the jet and around the boat. I see you are doing an overview like student CQ. Suggestion. I found my old sand blower routes I did going through the RAG at 125 in 1967. I wonder on your future do list, that you might go through flying a low level route. Basic planning, and what its like in the cockpit. I’m sure you are using the magnet line and not 1/250 strip charts. When I see videos, as in TG Maverick, they just do not seem real as to what it was like in the cockpit. Thanks for do these
Great suggestion. Cheers!
A-4s were awesome!!!!!! I was in a TA4 squadron in Kingsville. Got a few back seat rides. 81-85
Worked on the IKE in 78-79 first Med cruise night ops as an AT. on A7Es. Thanks for the narration of details. Keep them safe because I know it is dangerous, and things can go wrong so fast. Saying that the experience I learned from working that job paved the future of my life.
TYFYS.
AT2 here. 81-85. Just retired from Delta with 37 years. 19 as technician and 18 as Avionics Engineer. Navy was a great start.
Watching all these young pilots made me nervous. They have so much on the line career wise and I really want to see them all pass with flying colors . You are the explainer n chief Pail, nobody can do it better than you. Thanks for all you do. I’m so proud of our Navy. Stay well.🥂
I'm terrible at this in DCS (a PC flight sim) even after a lot of study and practice. I think I have 1 OK in the Hornet and T-45 out of an absurd number of attempts. Getting the Tomcat aboard is a whole 'nother challenge. Playing around on a computer really adds to the respect I have for Navy/Marine aviators. Great video!
I met a bunch of the trainees and instructors at Meridian on my flight home from Oklahoma and buying my small Beechcraft. Those guys were so chill. It was great getting to park next to them for the night! They were all interested in my plane and wanted to talk shop. That was the childhood dream growing up in Pensacola but hey, life didn't deal me 20/20 vision. Keep these up buddy!
Love the energy in this upload. Miss the signature move …but will allow it for all the information I’m learning. Thank you for your service and Happy 4th. We couldn’t be ourselves without guys like you! 💕
It feels genuinely good to see professionals at work. Extremely inspiring. They have to be good because it's a lot of steel moving fast, your margin of error is razor-thin and things go bad in a hell of a hurry.
You know what I'm thinking? The Chinese, who are just learning what this thing called an aircraft carrier is, are watching these videos to learn how you do that: operating the flight deck of a carrier. The Chinese, we've seen plenty of examples, like to take shortcuts when it comes to regulations and procedures. You can't do that on an aircraft carrier. That is, you CAN do that, but you're going to regret it in short order.
The US Navy has been doing it for centuries [counting all carriers and their experience], they know what they're doing. All the things they do are lessons learned the hard way.
I'm not a big fan of the practice of the military but seeing professionals at work never gets old. I totally agree with the seriousness of the grading system: it's an Olympic performance every time you do it. The risk never diminishes, you have to get it right every time.
Serious respect, people!
Excellent work as always. You take a high stress activity and environment, explain it flawlessly and produce accessible videos which are detailed enough for the enthusiast but also entertaining for everyone.
Absolutely overwhelming what goes into this. Can't really comprehend it as a single human. Beyond my comprehension
I can see why they made you an instructor ... informative , engaging & entertaining . Nice job ! Looking forward to your next release . Thank you . :)
Thanks for bringing us along and thanks for your service.
As usual Pail, you are spot on your narration of our future Naval Aviators trapping aboard our Fleet Carriers.
I really appreciate how you give a detailed look and good sense of how things work.
I appreciate that!
“We won’t see that today.” Ouch. I mean you know the class but maybe someone will surprise you in a good way! Love the ridealongs.
I initially thought he meant they weren't capable of it, but then when he was specific about what we WOULD see, I figured he meant "there aren't any in this video"
@@FurTip Me too. I thought that one of the students may just "jag" a five, but as you say, it was a spoiler.
Great Video, I was stationed on NALF San Clemente Island in the 90's. Always fun to sit with the LSO's and watch them grade new F14/F18 students!
TYFYS.
I wish I had thought of doing this when I was younger. I'm proud of my time in the Marines, but the thought of wearing wings and catapulting off of a carrier just captures my imagination. You're living the dream!
You can really get a sense for the intensity that is involved when recovering aircraft. God bless all of you that serve.
Great inside look! Thank you, Pail.
WOW ~ Your videos are so interesting! I have ZERO KNOWLEDGE in what's shown, but you certainly have captured my interest. It's such a pleasure to learn everything you share about your obvious expertise. Thank you so much!
Cheers!
The best aviation videos ever, thank Pail and the US Navy
🇦🇺❤🛩
i spent 5 years on that ship. i knew a couple officers that would mess with the trainers, like turning on ciws 24 radar while they were on approach. really like the safety gear that officers opt for during flight operations.
Another absolutely amazing video. So awesome having someone explain what’s going on. Thank You!!
that was literally one of the stunning Ops I've seen in your channel! couldn't take my eyes off this video.. didn't even fast forward but sat tight and kept watching this ops.. thanks for sharing this kinda stuff with us and looking forward to watching another interesting ops!
The only bad part of these videos is that they end! I could watch flight ops on a carrier all day! Nice voice over Pail! I think their getting it! Fly Navy!
Cheers!
VF-126 taught youngsters their first Jet Instrument ACM after initial jet training. TA-4 jets . 1973 Miramar, I was a Plane Captain. Great Times ! Great Video !
Awesome video and explanations. Nice seeing those two extra deck hands run across and help on that pushback @ 9:16 , nice when everyone steps in and helps out !
Don’t stop what you’re doing, your video’s are very enjoyable. Having never been in the Navy, it is very interesting to see how well a very complicated operation such as landing and taking off from an aircraft carrier is conducted. Everyone involved is very well trained on how to do their jobs, from the deck hands to the pilots to everyone else on the ship to make it perform as well as it does. Thank you for taking the time to put your video’s together. We’re from Missouri
Cheers!
Really enjoy the content of these videos. Worked for cnatra for years but your videos explain a lot of deck procedures that was outside my department.
Sucks they took away buy you a beer ! 😮
Good video, Pail! As an old Army guy, I love my Navy! Both the Navy ships I sailed on as cargo are now either scrapped (USS Paul Revere) or serving as an artificial reef 55 miles northwest of Hawaii (USS Ogden) after being sunk by the Royal Norwegian Navy during RIMPAC 2014. I would have loved being a Navy pilot, but my vision was and is crap.
I could really watch this all day.
You do an excellent explanation of the CQ. I learned alot of what my son went through getting his CQ. Proud Dad will brag that he had 100% on boarding rate and earned the Top Hook award for his class. Thanks for your service Sir!
💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Absolutely love your channel. How in thr F**k you can land on on a moving postage stamp? Moving, pitching, windy, raining and at night? Seeing these students training for their future makes me happy for them.
Without brilliant explanations like this as to how much is going on at any given time on a carrier deck, it would be very difficult to comprehend what a synchronised effort everything is. Amazing work by all!
Retired airborne artilleryman here. And I thought my job was cool. Awesome content, Sir.
💪🏻
Great voiceover as always, And very interesting detail on the LSO. Thank you Growler
My pleasure!
I Remember many days of calling the ball, on CV 11 Lady Lex. I was a plane captain F-9s.
The Lexington is now a museum in Corpus Christi. When I went aboard shortly after it was set up. The OOD greeted me with an Honor! When heard I had served on that Carrier, he gave me permission to show my family around , beyond the barricades.
A plane captain calling.the ball?
. Right
@@beckyumphrey2626 on my off shift time I was spending time in the squadron ready room, helping keep records on the traps, bolter, and with calling the Ball! Remember .. I was in a training Squadron, VA44 with limited personnel. We helped when and where it was needed, 1960's.
Fantastic “on the job piece”, loved every second of it, every little detail. Can feel my mind groaning, trying to connect all the dots. Time, space, tech, rules, people.
Great stuff
Every video is fascinating and entertaining. Excellent job!
I'm a retired U.S.Navy Aircrewman/Rescue Swimmer. 5 major deployments, Desert Shield/Storm, total of 5 yrs actual sea time. This video brought so many good memories and not so good . Be safe out there.
TYFYS.
This is top level quality content. Im still thinking how you gained permission to share all of this and other videos! Amaizing work, and boy your voice and narrative is just soo nice even for us non native english speake. Also, DAT Ass... ahahahahahha!!!
I enjoy the commentary over videos. Makes me regret picking infantry over aviation. Keep up the good work.
My grandson has been ATC in Kingsville for few years...prior was on Stennis for a few... moving to Norfolk and in line for LDO... so thankful for your wonderful commentary...
Love seeing these students get their first carrier landings in! Hopefully I’ll be in their shoes here in the next few years after I graduate from college and go to OTS! One question, are carrier operations one of the final parts of their training before being winged?
Fly Navy!
Yes, they are usually just about done with training when they see the boat.
I really appreciate your efforts to produce and upload these videos! Outstanding! Carry on, shipmate!
Fascinating as always.
Thank you.
When I was a T-45A/C instructor pilot, being a lead safe, trapping in nothing but CASE III weather (for the most part), was always a good time!
🤷🏻♂️
These videos are so freakin cool... Thanks for sharing...
Best video yet Pail! The most comprehensive and informative Paddles breakdown ever by far.
Wow, thanks!
Wow, just so much that has to line up just perfect for aircraft to land on the carrier, you bring it to another level of YIKES, those 2 that were in the way holy moly too scary,, Thank you Pail for letting us be right there and kudos to the students that made their traps in this Jam,
Pail, good stuff. I’m a retired Prowler pilot, paddles, and Rampage skipper still working as a civilian at CNAP for the Air Boss. I CQ’d in CNATRA back in the day in T-2s on Big E and in TA-4Js on Lady Lex. Great to see the young breed in a jet that itself won’t be around a whole lot longer.
I’m guessing the deck caller with the 100ft/10ft calls came after Kurt Barich’s mishap in 1998 where the LSOs failed to wave him off on a foul deck and he hit the S-3. Can you confirm?
Keep the VAQ and CVN love going, brother. You’re a great narrator. ⚓️ VR Baron BvP
Yes, I believe you are correct, Sir. Thanks for watching. I was also a Yellow Jacket (2012-2014).
@@GrowlerJams Thanks Pail. I saw the lighting bolt on your helmet. ⚡️⚓️
excellent videos! I always enjoy watching!
Glad you like them!
Awesome, Pail. This kind of thing is exactly what keeps me coming back.
Was on the Big-E for one WestPac and can’t recall seeing anyone push an aircraft by hand.😮…….real men of distinction!🤣🤣
Sir, each one of your videos is such a treat ! I adore all those explanations about the industry behind making an aircraft carrier works efficiently. Thank you very much !
Just watched "Mooch" episode of the incident that now has a LSO observing foul deck status. SAFETY FIRST! Rule #1 Nobody gets hurt.
The mooch may play a mean guitar ,but he's not as cool as pail is ,and that's the way its gonna be
@@nightflight1454 Apples & oranges. The smooth talking 'Pail' is what is happening today. 'Mooch' knows the history, incidents, and people that changed procedures. He knows a lot of brass(active & ret'd who know the past & present efforts to reduce pilot workload.
Mooch is pretty good for not being a pilot. Backseat riding is a good job though.
I like the mooch ,but he " pails" in comparison to the new commander of all naval aviation on youtube....your dismissed!
Happy July 4th. Thanks to all those who have served - and continue to serve.
How do you make parking a jet on a boat sound so exciting in such a calm voice?
😂
Great narration. It made understanding all of those actions real easy. Thanks for your hard work and dedication. God bless America
Just Imagine Doing It At Night On A Pitching Deck Or Just Night Landings Alone Will Make You Grow Hair On Your Chest
Waving the passes at night was more stressful at times than actually flying the passes. LSO’s earn their Flight Deck and Hazardous Duty Pay on foul weather, pitching deck, blue water nights. Then add MOVLAS.
I found it challenging enough to land on a perfectly stationary runway, at least initially, landing on a moving ship would scare the crap out of me. For some reason I was better at night landings, those never bothered me but other students at the training facility seemed to struggle with them so I guess everyone has their own skills and daemons. Perhaps because the airplane rental was significantly cheaper after sunset and money was tight so I had a lot of night hours. I admire the skills of Naval Aviators and the deck crews are "Pros" too, so much going on in so little space in a compressed time period. It is something to behold so I love these videos. I spent 20 minutes jammed in an MRI machine the other day and every time I felt myself getting anxious I remembered to wiggle my fingers and toes! Damn that works great, thanks for that little tip.
Maybe it's time to start a Patreon account in case some of us want to help support the channel & the awesome content.
DOD made them stop from making money on videos.
This is fascinating to have narrated by a knowledgeable individual. Thank you for this.
Pail: Thanks for sharing. I learned some new terms today.
One thing: The Deck Caller was looking forward, right? Or do they change fore and aft for the LSOs?
He was looking aft in front of the LSO until the deck was ready, then he moved behind the LSO and continued to look aft.