When US Navy Pilots Miss the Arrestor Cables During Aircraft Carrier Landing

Join us aboard the USS Gerald R Ford, one of the US Navy's most prestigious aircraft carriers. This video offers an in-depth look at the critical operations that take place on these floating cities, focusing on the intricacies of aircraft carrier landing.

Our discussion centers on the 'arrested tailhook landing', an essential technique uniquely tailored to the challenging environment of an aircraft carrier. What happens when a pilot misses their lifeline during this highly complex operation? We unravel the consequences, risks, and the immediate actions that must be taken when things go wrong on the deck.

Uncover the potential dangers faced by our brave sailors during such emergencies. From a jet overshooting the flight deck to the rapid response required to prepare for an emergency landing, these high-stake scenarios demand nothing less than precision, discipline, and immense courage.

You'll gain insights into the rigorous training the US Navy pilots undergo to perfect this dangerous dance with their arresting gear, especially in conditions where a miss or malfunction could result in a 'bolter'. These unexpected situations not only test the pilot's skill and composure but also the efficiency and resilience of the sailors on deck.

Moreover, we highlight the inner workings of the USS Gerald R Ford's crew - their rapid response to emergencies, the intricate system of hand gestures they employ to communicate in the noisy and chaotic flight deck, and their unwavering commitment to safety and efficiency. #aircraftcarrier #ussgeraldrford #usnavy

[jcruiser]

Since I've "been there, done that" (VA-195, USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63/CV-63) with the A-7E Corsair II, everything you heard in this video is 100% correct. The months and months of training on land does not measure up to the actual evolutions on board ship, especially at night, in the rain, and in a combat zone where your life and the life of others has NO margin of error. I have personally seen people walk into props, get pulled into intakes and blown overboard from the flight deck. We work 12 hours on and 12 hours off. Your entire cruise serves one purpose - to get those birds into the air to complete their mission, recover them, and prep them for the next mission. To be associated with a Naval Aviation unit is one of the best accomplishments of my life and being a Dambuster crewmember was a honor. "Chippy-Ho" to my fellow sailors.

[EdwardNeupert]

I was on the Ike CVN 69 for 2 years. Some footage was from our ship. I had the opportunity to go on the flight deck for launching and recover of aircraft. The amont of energy that I felt was unbelievable. The power and noise all around was was overwhelming!
Living on the ship is a unique experience. One of the greatest challenges was getting enough sleep. Planes flew all hours of the day and night, bells and announcements constantly all night long.

[therockindoc]

I was a Flight Surgeon in the Navy in the late 60's. I occasionally flew on and off the ship in the S2 as copilot. I have the GREATEST RESPECT for the pilots and crew. They are men of INCREDIBLE valor and skill. Night ops are extremely difficult especially in weather. May God bless them and their families. It was my honor to serve with them.

[fhpcruf]

I was in a fighter squadron VF-111 attached to CVN70 USS Carl Vinson. I was an avionics technician assigned to a workshop. We maintained the weapons systems and other various avionics. We worked on the flight deck for launches, and maintenance after flight operations. The flight deck is an extremely busy place on a launch, it is crowded, you need to keep you head on a swivel for jet blast, jet intake, and any propeller aircraft. I made one west pac cruise, and we had 0 fatalities on the flight deck . We did lose one jet to a failure of the arresting cable; the pilot landed caught the wire, and it broke in the engine room located below the flight deck. The plane slowed down, and went over the front of the ship, the two crew ejected; the rio landed on the flight deck, and the pilot went into the water, the captain quickly steered the ship to avoid running over him; both crew were recovered, but lost the aircraft, it all happened in a matter of seconds. It was around midnight so completely dark. Space was tight on the ship , but workable; it was a very challenging environment

[peterscott]

The opening image shows a Harrier that does not have an arrester hook fitted and never needs arrestor cables!!

[francestomic]

The admiration i have for all of the crew is immeasurable

[donaldhollingsworth]

As being a Marine on a aircraft carrier I have seen at least 2 aircraft & sometimes pilots lost during bad weather or night landing especially for junior pilots after at least one failed attempt to land. I have also seen a pilot plow into the stern of the carrier. I have also seen the deck crew erect the aircraft netting when a aircraft for whatever reason can not land otherwise.

[charleymason]

Great video. 4 years on the carrier Hancock 63-67 W division. Loved it. Incredible talent these pilots. Word was, "Your only as good as your last trap".

[brianconnelly]

My first deployment was a bit of a challenge due to being a Marine veteran and changing to the Navy. Most welcomed me and a select few in my department had a problem with my presence. All in all, I enjoyed my time and would do it again! 👍

[ntom]

I absolutely love the FA-18 . I watched the Blue Angels put on two shows at the Annapolis graduation every year for almost 30 years and I never got tired of the spectacular show that they put on . I miss those days.

[leehow]

Amazing! This is some of the most specialized and intense training in the world.

[martinmarsola]

A very instructive video. A real changing affair depending on conditions. Thank you for the video! Always enjoyable. 😊

[pollypenson]

💙💙💙💙 my Daddy retired from Navy in 1966 after serving 23 yrs!! Navy #1!!!

[redbaron]

THANK YOU for not burying your video under tons of ads.

[chuniquepaceno]

"When a bolter takes place, the pilot must immediately go full-throttle while simultaneously steering the a/c..." Actually, Navy pilots ALWAYS go full-throttle when they come in for a landing (not talking helo pilots or any of the more exotic a/c that arrived after my retirement), on the assumption that they didn't manage to snag one of the arresting cables--as in "better safe than sorry." This acceleration is let up once the pilot is convinced he/she managed to hook up with a cable. But in case they didn't, the aircraft would be doing a "touch-and-go" and loop around for another try. When things are truly dire, they bring out "the barrier, " which is nothing more than a huge net they string across the flightdeck to "catch" the aircraft.

[marvinjohnson]

Was a plane captain in VF21 on a F4 phantom aboard USS Ranger in Tonkin gulf 69-70.🇺🇸

[DirtyLilHobo]

The twin-engine aircraft underwater at 01:18 has absolutely nothing to do with carrier operations! Nor does the single-engine Cessna in the water at 03:18.

[readelundy]

When I was flown to the Eisenhower in a COD, we had a touch and go! Next attempt we caught the arresting wire!!! What a rush!!!! When I stepped on the deck and saw the ocean for the first time!!! I thought I wasn’t in bootcamp anymore!!!🇺🇸🫡 God bless the USA!!!!🇺🇸🫡

[bobhenson]

I have a Vice Admiral friend who made over 800 carrier landings. Not one miss, he said. Another friend was a Search and Rescue pilot on carriers. Good stories!

[samoglesby]

I am currently a Welding Subcontractor and have been for the past 29 years. There is always something new to learn aboard the US Navy ships. So, I will keep the question short and direct. While watching this video I know there is so much more detail about managing composure and discipline I think which is most important here.

Ultimately, my question is what steps are taken if one is not grasping the very difficult responsibilities and protocols for the job or tasks at hand when they are assigned these duties.

I understand that is why the training is put into place. But how much training is too much for the individual to be transferred or relocated to a different assignment?

Thank you in advance and keep up the excellent work to the men and women on the flight deck.
Sam Oglesby
San Diego, Ca