Carrier Landing Guidance

[Hedgehog]

For those pilots who still need to complete their carrier landing quals;

Trim your aircraft for on-speed AOA. Don't fight your stick, use elevator trim to center the Velocity Vector in the big E on the HUD like this.

AOA.jpg (27.24 KiB) Viewed 4075 times

Then use ONLY YOUR THROTTLE to manage altitude and decent rate.

[Hedgehog]

Also, your ICLS needles. This is how you want them to look when you're in the groove, forming a cross right through your velocity vector. This is what "On speed, on glideslope, on centerline" looks like.

icls.jpg (11.57 KiB) Viewed 4058 times

Notice that when you're properly in the groove, your velocity vector is not aiming at the deck! The carrier is moving, and since you're lining up for the angled deck, the carrier appears to be moving slightly left-to-right across your HUD. The needles are not taking you to where the deck is now, they are taking you to where the deck is going to be when you get there.

[Hedgehog]

"Call the ball!"

The correct call here would be "Clara", which means, "I can't see the IFLOLS meatball, need LSO guidance." You are way too high. Will be a wave-off from the LSO if not corrected quickly.

IFLOLS Way High.jpg (39.15 KiB) Viewed 4003 times

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Here the LSO says, "You're high." Need to come off the throttle a bit to increase decent rate.

IFLOLS High.jpg (33.57 KiB) Viewed 4003 times

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This is "On the ball."

IFLOLS On Ball.jpg (30.45 KiB) Viewed 4003 times

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Here the LSO says, "Power!" You're too low and likely too fast, which will result in a hook skip.

IFLOLS Low.jpg (26.69 KiB) Viewed 4003 times

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The call here, again, would be "Clara." Can't see the ball. Way too low. Will be a wave-off from the LSO.

IFLOLS Way Low.jpg (25.21 KiB) Viewed 4003 times