This article studied the effect of the mass of the launch bar, restoring moment of the launch bar, and center of gravity position of the launch bar on the dynamics performance of the launch bar. This paper establishes a staged mathematical model of catapult launch including the launch bar, a steam-powered catapult, a holdback bar, and a carrier-based aircraft. In order to avoid the launch bar striking the flight deck after the launch bar pops out of the shuttle, it is very important to research the dynamics performance of the launch bar. Back to selection page.The launch bar is a unique device of carrier-based aircraft, which is connected to the nose gear and shuttle. Both can be found here.īack to last page. To view it you need a DivX Codec or even better, a DivX player. This signal is used to show the pilot that another controller has taken over the control and that the pilot now has to follow the signals of the new controller.Ĭlick here or the picture on the left to view a short clip of the Catapult Officer's final sequence of handsignals before the plane is catapulted off the deck. This signal is used to show the pilot that the control of the aircraft is turned over from the Plane Director (yellow helmet) to the Catapult Officer (green helmet) If the pilot sees this signal he has to turn right.Ĭommand is turned over to Catapult Officer to complete the launch sequence The meaning of this signal is that the jet blast deflector behind the plane shall move up so that the following aircraft aren't blown away.
The plane handling officer wants the pilot to stop his plane. The signal is used to show the pilot that he has to lower his aircraft's launch bar so that the plane can be hooked up in the catapult. The Pull signal is used to signal the catapult crew to tense the catapult after the plane is hooked up to the catapult shoe.
When this command is shown the plane will be launched. The cat officer shows the pilot that he should activate the plane's afterburner for take-off.įists mean "brakes on", open hands mean "brakes off" These hand signals make up a unique sign language that can basically be seen as the 'language of the flight deck'.īelow, there is a table that contains the most common signals used by the Catapult and Plane Handling Officers. Due to the noise created by jet engines and rotors the communication among the people of the flight deck crew is mostly done through hand signals. Dangers are everywhere on the flight deck and that is why the people who are working there have to be in perfect physical and mental condition.įor someone who is not used to this business it is just overwhelming because it is hard to imagine that there is a well thought-out system behind all deck operations. Even a little mistake can result in an accident: One can be blown off the deck or be sucked into one of the planes' engines. On the flight deck it is loud, crowded and the whole atmosphere is often referred to as 'controlled chaos': Jets are catapulted into the air while others are landing, bombs and missiles are transported from the 'bomb farm' to parking aircraft while other planes are taxiing to the catapults or to their parking locations. According to Lloyds in London, working on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.
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