Launching Aircraft

5.1 PRELAUNCH PROCEDURES
As early as possible before launch, the catapult officer and deck launching officer shall advise the air officer of the
launch wind requirements. The air officer shall relay this information to the bridge.
The aircraft handling officer shall perform the following prior to each launch or setting of Condition I or II, as
described in paragraph 5.12.
1. Assign aircraft to each event specified on the air plan.
2. Brief key flight and hangar deck personnel on the following:
a. Starting and launching sequence
b. Disposition of downed and spare aircraft
c. Aircraft to be towed or taxied forward after the launch
d. Recovery spot (when a recovery is scheduled to follow the launch).
3. Ensure the air gunner or his designated representative attends the aforementioned brief to comment as
appropriate on ordnance safety precautions or weapon handling procedures incident to the launch and
forthcoming recovery if applicable.
4. Ensure the launch spot is relayed to the ready rooms and inform PriFly, CATCC, and the ready rooms as early
as possible of the side numbers of aircraft assigned for launch.
5. Conduct FOD walkdown (minimum one day/one night and as required).
The flight deck officer or his representative shall tour the flight deck to ensure the following:
1. Propellers, tailpipes, and helicopter rotors have sufficient clearance
2. Each aircraft can be safely taxied from its spot
3. Deck-edge antennas are properly positioned and the jackstaff, flagstaff, bow rails, and stern rails have been
removed and stowed
4. No gear is adrift on the flight deck.
The aviation fuel officer or his designated representative shall ensure all aircraft, including standbys, have been fueled
as prescribed in the air plan. Discrepancies shall be brought to the attention of the aircraft handling officer
immediately.
The air wing weapon officer or his designated representative shall visually inspect each aircraft to ensure ordnance
loading is as prescribed in the ordnance load plan. Discrepancies shall be brought to the attention of the aircraft
handling officer and ordnance handling officer immediately.
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Note
Under no circumstances shall the launching officer participate in the
removal of protective devices from the catapult track (i.e., slot seals or
buttons). The catapult officer’s primary function is as a final inspector.
The launching officer(s) shall brief the topside catapult crew(s) and ensure all equipment is ready and that sufficient
launching accessories are available to complete the launch. These tasks shall be completed prior to each launch. In
addition, he shall verify fuel and ordnance loading by consultation with aviation fuel and ordnance personnel. He
shall then compute aircraft launch weights.
The pilot shall confirm fuel, ordnance, and gross weights in writing, which will be submitted to flight deck control
prior to man-up time.
5.1.1 Manning Aircraft
Approximately 45 minutes before launch time, flightcrews will be ordered to man aircraft. When called, they shall
proceed to their aircraft via the designated route and conduct preflight inspections as expeditiously as safety permits.
5.1.2 COD/VOD Aircraft
COD/VOD aircraft passengers shall be escorted to and from the aircraft by the ATO or his assistant. The ATO or his
assistant shall remain with the passengers until they have been embarked. Passengers and cargo will not be off-loaded
until the ATO or his assistant is present. Flight deck survival equipment (cranial helmet, goggles, and floatation
equipment) shall not be removed until passengers are well clear of the hazards of the flight deck environment.
For off-loading passengers and cargo, both engines of the COD should be
shut down. At a minimum, the engine on the same side of the entrance hatch
shall be secured.
The ramp shall not be opened/closed externally without confirmation from
the aircraft commander.
The Mk 1 life preserver, vest type (float-coat) with auto inflator unit
assembly is not authorized for use aboard aircraft.
5.2 LAUNCHING FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT
5.2.1 Engine Start and Turnup
Prior to starting engines, the air officer shall issue appropriate orders or information over the flight deck announcing
system to ensure all prestart preparations are completed and all personnel on the flight deck are alerted.
Note
The mechanical latching of weapons on aircraft racks/launchers shall be
completed before the engine(s) on that aircraft is started for launch.
The air officer shall ensure all flight deck personnel are indoctrinated in and adhere to the positioning of aircraft and
aircraft starting units so that the established minimum distances are maintained. Pilots and aircrews shall be made
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aware of proper positioning criteria. The responsibility for safe starting of all aircraft rests with the air officer. All
personnel shall follow the prescribed procedures when operating aircraft and aircraft starting units. All unsafe starting
conditions shall immediately be called to the attention of cognizant personnel.
Hot exhaust from aircraft and aircraft starting units is a serious hazard when
operating in close proximity to aircraft, aircraft components, fuel,
weapons, equipment, external store CADs, and personnel.
Engines shall be started only on signal and under the positive control of PriFly. During the starting evolution, the
aircraft handling crew shall remove the towbar if necessary for accomplishment of preflight checks and the plane
captain shall assist the pilot as necessary with preflight checks. Towbars shall remain on or in the immediate vicinity
of aircraft parked in the landing area or in a position that fouls the deck until that aircraft is ready for taxi.
Prior to start, ensure nosewheels are not cocked. Cocked nosewheel may
pose a threat to flight deck personnel.
The plane directors shall monitor the aircraft throughout the warmup and checkout period. Control is assumed by
the plane captain for preflight checks only.
Turboprop aircraft shall not be turned up above 1,500 shaft horsepower (SHP) without specific clearance from a flight
deck director. The pilot shall request clearance to turn up by giving his director the one finger turnup signal. The
director, after checking chocks and tiedowns and ensure the area behind the aircraft is clear, shall return the signal,
thereby clearing the pilot for turnup.
Note
Clearance for turnup shall not be given by anyone other than a flight deck
director.
While an engine is turning up at high power, the director shall continuously check the area behind the aircraft. The
pilot shall frequently look at the director to ensure the “all clear” signal is still being given. After completing all
poststart checks, the pilot shall signal the director, indicating the status of the aircraft. The director will relay the signal
to the officer or petty officer in charge of that area of the flight deck.
5.2.2 Final Preparations for Launch
Approximately 15 minutes before launch, the air officer will initiate the following prelaunch checklist:
1. Wind — Verify the estimated wind available for launch and notify bridge of maximum/minimum wind
requirements.
2. List — Check ship’s list to ensure a level deck.
3. Jet blast deflector cooling — Ensure saltwater cooling is functioning on all active JBDs.
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If aircraft are to be deck launched, the launching officer shall compute the required deck run and confirm it with the
air officer. The catapult launching officer shall inspect the catapult track(s) and adjacent flight deck area to ensure
they are clear of chocks, towbars, or other equipment. By this time, the following personnel should have manned their
launch stations:
1. LSO
2. Arresting gear personnel
3. ILARTS operator
4. Lens operator
5. PALS radar operator
6. Mobile firefighting equipment operators.
5.2.3 Taxiing
Before ordering removal of chocks, directors shall signal for the pilot to hold brakes. It is imperative that the pilot
acknowledge this signal by affirmative nod of the head in the daytime and by a flashlight at night. The flight deck
officer will control the rate at which aircraft are moved toward the catapult(s) or deck launch spot, ensuring a constant
steady flow of traffic while avoiding unnecessary crowding. All taxi signals shall be answered promptly and
accurately unless the pilot considers there is a dangerous situation existing or developing, in which case he shall stop.
A director shall not leave an aircraft unattended after chocks and tiedowns
have been removed.
Aircraft shall not be taxied until pretaxi checks and required procedures
prescribed in the appropriate NAVAIR weapon/store loading checklists/
store reliability cards have been completed.
COD aircraft shall not be unchained until all passengers and aircrew are
strapped into their seats and the aircraft commander has passed the up and
ready signal.
Note
All movement of aircraft shall be under the control of a plane director.
Safety personnel shall be posted as required to assist the director.
If a pilot loses sight of his director, he shall stop immediately. The director shall stay in view of the pilot at all times
and remain stationary while controlling aircraft. If it is necessary to change his position while controlling an aircraft
at night, the director shall signal the pilot to hold brakes. He will continue giving the hold brake signal while moving
expeditiously to the new position, then resume movement of the aircraft.
Control of a taxiing aircraft shall not be passed from one director to another until the receiving director signals by
extending one arm vertically that he is ready to accept control. A director shall not give signals to a pilot who is already
under the control of another director except in an attempt to avert an accident.
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When a nosewheel tiller/towbar is to be used in taxiing an aircraft, the director shall signal the pilot that a tiller/towbar
is being attached and shall discontinue giving him directional signals. The pilot must then be careful to avoid
differential braking and/or nosewheel steering and use the brakes only for slowing or stopping the aircraft. Nosewheel
steering shall not be engaged with tiller/towbar attached.
CAUTION
Launching fixed wing aircraft while other aircraft are taxied, spotted, or
towed close behind a JBD may cause damage to those aircraft.
Additionally, launching fixed wing aircraft from catapult #1 with a
helicopter spotted in the vicinity of elevator #1 exposes the helicopter to a
high level of turbulence which may cause significant damage to the
helicopter.
5.2.4 Catapult Launching
Prior to the launch, the launching officer shall relay the minimum and maximum WOD requirements for the
forthcoming launch to the air officer who shall, in turn, advise the bridge.
During CARQUAL operations, the pilot shall transmit aircraft side number, fuel weight, and gross weight during
a two-way radio check. This report is required prior to initial launch, after hot refueling or when pilot switch occurs.
The air officer shall ensure aircraft side number and gross weight is passed to and confirmed by the launching officer.
During CARQUAL operations, close monitoring of aircraft gross weights
by the air officer, launching officer, pilots, and squadron representatives is
mandatory to ensure operational safety.
Turboprop aircraft shall not be launched from waist catapults when
jet/turboprop aircraft with engines operating on No. 2 catapult or a
possibility exists that hot exhaust gases from aircraft spotted anywhere on
the flight deck may be ingested into the turboprop engine during launch.
Squadron aircraft inspectors shall not perform inspections while an aircraft
is taxiing. It is mandatory to remain well clear of rolling tires at all times
to prevent injury.
CAUTION
Aircraft with wing-or pylon-mounted engines shall not be launched from
catapults having only a single panel JBD if aircraft within 200 feet aft of
the JBD are not properly tied down.
In positioning an aircraft on the catapult, the director must be acutely aware of the activities of the catapult crewmen
and control the aircraft’s speed and movement in such a way that personnel safety will not be jeopardized. Pilots must
guard against the tendency to use excessive power that invariably results in roughness and poor control and
jeopardizes launching accessories.
As the aircraft approaches the catapult, the director shall ensure the aircraft is in the takeoff configuration. JBDs shall
be raised as appropriate.
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CAUTION
All JBD operators/safety observers shall ensure aircraft clearance is
sufficient prior to raising or lowering JBD. Catapult three requires a JBD
safety observer at all times. Bow catapults utilizing JBD deckedge control
boxes require one JBD safety observer per catapult. JBD safety observers
shall be positioned on the furthest side of the JBD away from the operator.
The safety observer will signal the JBD operator with hand/wands when the
aircraft is clear and the JBD can be raised.
For aircraft using the nosegear launch system, the director shall stop the aircraft at the entry wye area of the guide
track. The holdback man shall attach the holdback bar. The director shall signal the pilot and the hookup petty officer
to lower the launch bar.
CAUTION
Aircraft launch bar should not be lowered outside of the entry wye.
Excessive wear, burring, and hangup may occur if the bar passes over the
deck cleat link track onto the entry wye.
Before taxiing past the shuttle, the pilot shall verify the aircraft gross weight by giving a “thumbs up” signal during
the day or a circular motion with a flashlight at night. A “thumbs down” or negative signal will not be used to indicate
disagreement with the gross weight board. If the pilot does not agree with the gross weight, he will request adjustment
as follows.
1. During the day:
a. To raise the gross weight, hold hand flat with palm up and move in a vertical direction, emphasizing the
upward motion.
b. To lower the gross weight, hold hand with palm down and move in a horizontal direction.
2. At night:
a. To raise the gross weight, move flashlight in a vertical direction, emphasizing the upward motion.
b. To lower the gross weight, move flashlight in a horizontal direction.
Note
Weight board will be changed in 500-or 1,000-pound increments in
accordance with applicable aircraft launch bulletins.
When more than two correction steps are required on the weight board or any difficulty is experienced in confirming
the gross weight, the aircraft shall not be launched until positive determination can be made by the air officer and
confirmed by the pilot and launching officer.
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When an aircraft carrying ordnance requires arming, the aircraft will be taxied into the arming area. Nose-tow aircraft
shall be stopped after the appropriate JBD has been raised and prior to positioning nose-tow launch bar over shuttle
spreader. Prior to arming, aircraft shall be properly configured for flight. The director shall ensure all personnel are
clear and then direct the aircrew’s attention to the ordnance arming supervisor for arming. When the arming has been
completed and the arming crew is clear, the ordnance arming supervisor will signal the pilot with a “thumbs up” signal
(day) or display a vertical sweep with a red, banded wand (night) and then direct the pilot’s attention back to the
director.
As the aircraft is positioned on the catapult, the squadrons’ aircraft inspector shall inspect the aircraft to ensure it is
properly configured and ready for flight. He shall give a “thumbs up” signal (day) or display a blue wand held
vertically (night) to indicate that he considers the aircraft ready for launch. He shall continuously display this signal
at a position from which he is clearly visible to the launching officer. Should the aircraft inspector desire to prevent
the aircraft from being launched, he shall immediately give a “suspend” signal (day) or display a blue wand moved
horizontally (night) to the director or launching officer who has control of the aircraft at the time the discrepancy is
discovered.
Aircraft shall not have nose-tow launch bar over shuttle spreader until the
aircraft is armed and properly configured for flight.
As the ship approaches the launching parameters, the air officer shall monitor the wind repeater and keep the
launching officer(s) advised of the relative wind velocity. Upon receiving permission from the bridge to launch
aircraft, he shall make a final check to ensure relative wind is within the envelope prescribed in the applicable aircraft
launching bulletin. This shall be accomplished before changing the rotating beacon(s) from red to green (this lights
the PriFly “go” light on the catapult officer ICCS console when in use), thereby clearing the launching officer(s) to
begin launching.