[SIZE=3]These videos show the difference between Naval Aviation and any other kind. [SIZE=3]This is very unnerving, landing with deck pitching 30 feet, at night, low on fuel. The links below are two outstanding videos about F-18 carrier operations aboard the USS Nimitz during weather that causes a severely pitching deck, which you can see in the videos. It’s more dangerous than most combat missionsand the tension in the pilots and crew is very apparent. [FONT=Times New Roman] [/SIZE]
[/FONT][/SIZE] Part One [u][COLOR=blue]http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=4gGMI8d3vLs[/u][/COLOR]
There are very few experiences in this life that are better than the feeling of being up on the flight deck during takeoffs and landings (launch & recovery). I loved it.
Became anxious watching that thing. Heart rate and breathing increased. If I was that way sitting in this chair, lord only knows how the pilots and crews felt while that operation was taking place.
Maybe one of our humble aviators on this site can chime in with some more real experiences …
(Nighthawk? , Steve? , Joe-- I believe was in or is in ground control?)
Obviously there would be more…
Good stories to help shake the shack shivers and appreciate the little
shack we have
Of all the things on my bucket list the one that will probably remain is a carrier take off in a fighter jet. Coming to a complete stop from 200+ knots on a moving runway does not appear to me at all. Fly me out in a helicopter please, I have a few hours riding around in those and know you should be able to get it down around the middle of the runway at least. Many one of the Navy vets can tell me if my reasoning is sound. With the bow and stern pitching 30 ft. is there a spot in the center of the ship that is works as a pivot and does not rise significantly?
When we were leaving the Mediterranean Sea after a nine month deployment, we hit a really bad tropical storm. The bow of the carrier, the USS Independence, was really rocking. The waves were breaking over the bow and then it would rise up and be aimed at the sky, with the stern down deep in the swells. Our berthing compartment was all the way up forward, just under the flight deck. You had to walk very slowly or when the bow dropped, you would actually have the deck drop out from under you and you would hit your head on the overhead (ceiling). This went on for about 3 days.
We were doing double duty up on the flight deck, constantly checking the tie-down chains to make sure they were staying tight, or else an airplane could break free and cause all kinds of havoc on deck.
You are right about the center of the ship staying relatively stable. You could stand there and watch the bow go waaaaay up then come crashing down with the waves breaking over the bow. Talk about a thrill.
The other advantage of weather like that is there were never any lines on the mess decks, you could walk right in and grab a very good meal at anytime.
Thank You! To All of you who Served!! You all did things in harms way! I love you all for what you gave me, MY FREEDOM…GOD BLESS YOU ALL!! and to my son Joe on the Bush, GO NAVY!!
