Secrets of the F-14 Tomcat: Carrier Ops
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- Опубликовано: 15 апр 2021
- Ward describes the details of how the F-14 Tomcat would launch and land on an aircraft carrier. How many hours before takeoff do crews do their mission briefs? What is the paraloft for? How much did the Tomcat weigh at takeoff? How fast are jets going when they land? How much gas do they have onboard? What happens if a jet doesn't catch the arresting wire?
All the answers to these questions and many more are in this episode.
I’m an airline pilot and all I can say is congratulations for the extensive explanation and for the passion that you make us feel when you explain all this procedures. Not everyone is able to get this “briefings” done with such an easy and calm way but most of all in such a professional way! I really enjoyed this episode very much and once again, thank you very much! Stay safe! 👍
Thanks very much, Friedl!
Plus he plays guitar which is cool 👍
What gets me is the hubris about china stealing hi-tech from the USA when the USA was taking British aircraft with swing wings, canards and ejection seats.
Not to mention the treacherous way FDR wangled WW2 out of Japan by feeding them Pearl Harbour. I wonder what Sun Tsu would have made of that?
Winston Churchill (a treacherous half American) wangled the cost of the 1930's recession out of the UK using WW2 as a disguise, deservedly so in my opinion but still a couple of lefties don't make a right.
@@michaelmcneil4168 The Me262, the very first jet fighter in actual use, had swept wings, and the Swedish SAAB J21 was the first production plane with an ejection seat, and the SAAB J37 Viggen was the first jet with canards. What exactly are you claiming they "stole" from the british who never invented any of those things?
@@TzunSu It is hubris when You complain about someone getting something for nothing that you got for nothing from an ally with its back to the wall. An ally that was in fact supplying substandard materiel.
EXACTLY LIKE CHINA WAS. Except that President Trump was not at war with China. Britain was at war with Germany and Japan not America.
And for reasons of Protocol everything that we had on jets was delivered lock stock an barrel for boats made of shitty steel that were killing North American decades after the war. Two in one night (admittedly due to bad management) but the Edward Fitzgerald did no favours to its namesake did it?
Ward
Great channel, I just watched your video on Secrets of the F-14 - talking about the RIO. I didn't know you were part of the Pukin' Dogs until then. I was enlisted, joined in 1973, my first squadron was VF-143 they flew F-4J's then and we deployed aboard U.S.S. America to the Med. that was back in '74 - '75, when we came home to Miramar we transitioned to the Tomcat, during the Med cruise I designed the new Pukin' Dog logo on the tail because the old one was a little too stubby to fit on the sleek new Tomcats. Unfortunately, when we moved to NAS Oceana I was driving cross country with my buddy,(we were both AME's in the AME shop) when we were hit by a drunk driver in a FORD F-150 doing 50 mph, we were in a Chevy Vega also doing 50 mph. Not a good outcome, I am the only survivor. Anyway, a year later I left limited duty and returned to full duty back to Miramar because my parents were still in California and they requested my return to Oakland. I was assigned to VF-1, Wollfpack and made a great Westpac cruise aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. I retired in 1993 but still wish I could be there today. Keep up the great videos. Mark
Ward is so detailed.
I remember years ago when I read Robert Mason's Chickenhawk, it was so well written I believed that I could fly a helicopter - Ward's videos are like that, so now I can fly helicopters and F14 Tomcats.
Glad to hear you also liked Chickenhawk. Now we are both checked out in the F-14 and the huey. And thank you Ward. Only the best get to be Navy aircrew.
Excellent.
Chicken hawk is a f****** outstanding book.
@@nobodyspecial7185 Paying road tolls with a cadaver arm .
Sir, I am 74 now but have such memories of my duty on the flight deck of the USS Forrestal and VF-11, a squadron of F-4's out of NAAS Oceana, VA.. My line division officer awarded me with a back-seat ride and cat-shot off #4 and we flew around the skies over the Mediterranean for about 60-70 minutes. What a thrill for a 21 year old AMS-3 plane captain! Thanks for your service and descriptions of takeoff and landings. Great stuff, sir!!! Thanks!!!
Veteran ABH here 2001 John C Stennis. Loved spotting the tomcat on the CATs for launch. Always an adrenaline rush to watch those big birds.
Was your hanger deck officer a black warrent?
Absolutely loved working the flight deck at night, total darkness, stars everywhere. Head on a swivel baby! Totally correct Sir. Nothing better than a well oiled flight deck, flight crews, little talk. Launch/recovery non-stop. No hard fouled decks, everyone safe! Miss it! Had to laugh at the Grumman reference. As a Troubleshooter, if I didn't see fuel or hydraulic fluid spill at kneel, I knew that was a bad sign or a tight bird. Rarely ever came across a tight bird! 🤪
I'm an old Kennedy Sailor, I just want to say Thank you for bringing back some great memories. On my first cruise I was lucky enough to see the F-14As before they went to D's I don't have to tell you how I loved night cat shots. I'm an old Salt now I have two years left in the Worlds Greatest Navy I would give anything to smell, hear, and see a Tomcat fly once more, just once... ABHCS
Thanks, Senior!
I watched and understood the whole briefing. Thank you Sir.
I lived in Hong Kong during the late 1990s and had the opportunity to tour several US ships that made port calls there. Being on a US carrier with the variety of aircraft that were on deck was an amazing experience. I can only imagine the thrill it was for you to launch by catapult the way you describe in your video. Thanks for your years of service Ward.
The Independence was my dad’s carrier in the early 60’s. He was a mechanic and worked on A4’s and Corsairs.
You have a gift for clear communication, something I imagine you had when you were in the navy given that you were picked to edit the Approach magazine. Your presentations here on this channel are models of clarity, thank you for doing this.
Great thoughts. I agree that this is a gift, and it's an indicator of ability to process input and act, which is dependent on....I.Q.,which, like athletic ability, and height, are gifts of one's parents and Maker of us all. Things to be grateful for and humble about, since there's nothing you did to impact the product. What one does with that is intentional, and one's responsibility to put forth best effort. And make as few mistakes as possible. Great job, Ward Carroll.
Two things you don't see together very often; and both of which I love equally: fighter jets and guitars!!
I was a proud Tomcat ordie in VF-124, VF-211, and VF-114. Ordnance was the best job I ever had.
Ordies rock!
I was an Ordie in 124 from 93-95
I was an earth-bound Ordie so to speak. USAF Ammo for 20 years. Did Desert Shield/Storm, and the second Gulf War...built a lot of bombs, chaff, flare, and 20MM in my career. To modify our motto...If You Ain't Ordie, You Ain't Shit!
@@SonnyinPhx hated building chaff and flare buckets !
Aardvarks vf114 rock 86 to 88 aq3 fix jets . Orange is the old black . We even had orange crapper seats
Great vid Ward, I'm ex RAAF armourer (ordnance) and helped remove sparrows from a Tomcat once in Kuwait when it had to land at our base They are huge compared to the F-18. Did RIO's ever get referred to as GIB's? (guy in back) this is the first channel I have seen from a RIO's perspective.
"GIB" was more of an F-4 thing. Never stuck with the Tomcat community. Thx for watching.
Thanks for the vicarious trip Ward… you are the consummate professional and a gentleman to boot…
Thanks for your service to this great nation!
This is the coolest video I’ve watched in a long time, you’re fulfilling my childhood dream of flying fighter jets.
Thanks, Rhett! I’m a big fan of your channel. Hopefully we can circle up at Rick’s place before too long.
Funny to see you here Rhett, fellow ATL guitar player here. Might run into you at Righteous sometime haha
Always fun to see other guitar players be tomcat nerds!
LOL, I was like "I know that guy!" Watch yours and Rick's channels as well... My room is like Ward's... guitars, rock stuff, album covers, and flight stuff! You should give DCS a shot... closest thing we'll get to flying an F-14 (or any fighter jet for that matter).
Fulfill that dream virtually by flying DCS!
I am a veteran in aircraft maintenance for the Brazilian air force (1985/2016) and a flight simulation enthusiast. I've been studying the wonderful F-14 from DCS for a year. Even with a lot of language difficulties and little information in Portuguese, today I can taxi until the catapult takes off and recover in CASE I. And from what was described between procedures and parameters of this post, everything was collated by the procedures in the DCS simulator that I already decorated and can do such procedures automatically. I have a VR that provides even more immersion in the F-14 experience. RUclips gives an ordinary citizen like me the ability to see their stories, interact with real crew and even see them as they are off-mission in their homes as normal citizens. It's all very motivating for me!! Congratulations for the post, it was very educational!!! I will continue my studies.......
I found your channel recently and love to watch all of the videos you make. I was in the US Navy from 1956 to 1972. I flew the F9 and F11. I was never sent to Vietnam due to being a flight instructor although I filled out my dream sheets to go! I am at an advanced age now and haven't flown since the late 1970s. I had my own plane which was a Cessna 310. I sold it in 1978 and never flew again! But you had planes that were far more demanding to fly and I admire that. Keep up the great work Sir.
Brings back a lot of memories. Was a green-shirt Gear Dawg on the The USS Harry S. Truman CVN-75...the best & worst time of my life!
What an interesting channel Ward ! I was raised in the USAF, my dad was 26 yrs in single seat fighters and the last 6 yrs as A/C in the C-141. He spent 1968 in Vietnam as A/C in phantom F4 aircraft. He has since passed away and I never talked to him about the intricacies of fighter plane operations...Wish I had now. Hindsight is always 20/20, I could listen to you for hours on end !! I have spent the last 3 and a half years as a general Electrician at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan and was on the flight line daily fixing anything electrical with the hangers and operational gear that broke. Not as cool as an aircraft carrier, but being on a warzone airfield got pretty interesting at times!
You helped to confirm what I have always speculated which is in Navel Aviation, taking off and landing on air craft carriers, there is no room for error.
Delighted to see the glove vanes on the model. I know that they were kind of finicky and were removed quickly due to problems. The pilot could easily control the down pitch that they were intended to do automatically. Thanks for your time in uniform.
They relieved stress on the horizontal
tailplanes during bombing runs and during Mach travel.
I'm more impressed he has a model from 1985 that still looks new.
And it has functioning glove vanes! I’ve never seen that before
Thank you for taking the time to share your stories and thank you for your service.
Ward, thanks so much for the insight on what really happened during F-14 cat shots and traps. You can only get so much from reading a book or watching a video. You've really increased my understanding.
I just found this channel and have a feeling I’m going to be up all night! I can’t get enough of the detail!! Thank you.
Massively interesting! Love your enthusiasm you still have while talking about your F14 experiences.
The best explanation of carrier flights ever Thanks Ward I can imagine the stress of night / bad weather ops
It's always great to hear directly from someone with real life experience! Thanks for bringing us along on a F-14 flight!
Holy! I don't even know how I found this channel but this is such a hidden gem! Absolutely loved the content and the way you explain things! You got yourself a subscriber!
What a great video Ward. I had the good fortune to go on a Tiger Cruise on CVN 70 as the guest of my nephew, a Hornet pilot in VFA 97. This was right after Operation Enduring Freedom. I feel like I learned just as much from your video in 25 minutes as I did with 5 days on the Carl Vinson. Thank you!
Ward, your enthusiasm and passion are evident. Thanks for your service.
Loved that walk through of takeoff and landing of a F-14! I've heard all the parts separately but never all at once. This trip back thru the older videos that I missed has been really enjoyable! Eventually I'll make it back to that Goose episode.
Brother your contact is great!
Your “situation awareness” is still flawless. please keep up the great work that you’re doing people really need to know what it is that we used to do. I was a Corpsman. I loved every minute of it would do it again in a heartbeat. Go Navy
Glad I found your channel, Ward. I was surface Navy from '89 to '95 and lived a mile north of Miramar. Love the F-14 and thanks for your service.
USN 89-95 AO3 VF-1 Wolfpack lived in Rancho Penasquitos
First of all Sir, I want to thank you for the Service You gave to this great nation of ours! I have viewed several videos of yours, some of which bring back old memories of bygone days. I haven't caught your rank yet, I left the Navy November 1972 as an ADR3. I wanted to comment because of your interest in the F-14 Tom Cat. From May 1969 to September 1971 I was stationed to U.S. Navy Test Pilot School PAX River, as I was leaving PAX River I was made Plane Caption of The Quarter and was thus awarded to go with the graduating class on their Class Trip which was to all Aircraft Manufacturers in the U.S.and one of which was to Long Island Grumman Facilities where I got to see the 1st. F14 Prototype. My last 14 months of service I was Ships Company USS Intrepid CVS 11 as a COD Crew Member.
Missed a step in the launch sequence. Final checker front and back has to give thumbs up in full afterburner before launch officer salute. I was adj and did the back final check many times.
Love your podcasts.
Wow, this brings me back. I was in VAW-115 attached to the Independence from ‘93-‘97 as Aviation Electrician’s mate (AE). After launching our aircraft, I’d love to hang around for an F-14 launch. There’s nothing like being 20 feet from F-14 engines at full military power. Cool video, thanks!
Thx, Shane. Love you AEs!
Wonderful presentation. So easy to follow. Minimum of jargon and acronyms, which is great! Love the Tomcat and A-6!
A-6s where the birds I worked with in VA-42, NAS Oceana ! I was a plane captain from 1/73 to 8/15/75 ! The first carrier I was on was the Indy ! Saw an F-4 phantom nose into the drink on cat shot & a plane with the big radar dome on top crash on the trap (landing) ! It came in port side low & came down hard on starboard, breaking the starboard main which collapsed & took both propellers !
Thanks for your channel, Mooch! It's great to have an insider's perspective and stories about how it was with the F-14 Tomcat! Great plane and great crews to keep 'em flying!
I'm a retired airline pilot. I've watched a lot of carrier landing videos and it drives me crazy that there's no pilot to co-pilot or pilot to deck communication on the videos. You've really done a great job explaining some of what actually goes on during the flights, and just how arduous the whole process is. Thank you.
TOMCATS, ZEPPELN AND LES PAULS !!!! YOU ARE A LEGEND WARD !
True, RUclips recommended me "Goose episode" and taht's how I found about this channel. As a DCS player - the channel is full of very interesting stuff and stories.
Me too. I'm learning to fly the F-14B as a pilot in DCS and this guy is incredible to watch. Also this vid really helped with my carrier landings lol
@@synthcrow me too but a I like the A more. More fun with those tf30s.
@@FatOnAxis howcome ?
@@charlesbukowski9836 My friend says its the "true" Tomcat experience, as that's what most F14 crews flew in, the A model.
Yea, I fly the F-14B in DCS sometimes, but I usually fly Backseat. Its fun to see all of this.
Even though I flew in H-3's and S-3's in my Naval career as an AW. The whole brief, man up, flight deck, catapult, landing explanations brought back a lot of great memories. Thank you
Just found this channel.. this must be one of the most knowledgable interesting and easiest guys to listen to I’ve ever heard. And what’s better he has done and seen what he talks about for real. I admire and thank anyone who serves in the forces to protect us. Thank you
Thank you for your service ! and telling us these stories
Simply fascinating - thank you so much
Ward, I recently "discovered" your channel and immediately subscribed. I used to work at the Depot in JAX where, among other aircraft over my career, we overhauled F-14s & their "parts" until their retirement, along with some carrier launch & recovery gear. Thank you for your clear explanations and _very_ detailed & interesting stories!
As a carpenter I like that phrase you use at the end of your talk finish the evolution. So many things to make something look easy. Great video my son and I really enjoy them.please keep making them.
Hey LTJG, beautiful presentation. Served with you in 84-85 at VF-32: CDRs Sherlock and Gemmill commanding!
Good to hear from you, shipmate! Hope you’re well!
I absolutely love this
I was in VF-211 fighting checkmates out of NAS Miramar as a yeoman 89-93. Great videos and greetings to you sir
We were neighbors, I was a Airframer in VF-24 Fighting Renegades at the same time you were with VF-211.
Sir, you have brought back many memories while I was in the Navy as an avionics technician with VF2 from 1999 to 2003, working on the majestic f14d. Nothing more thrilling than being on the flight deck during launches.
I enjoy your commentary the way you explain it you're the best
Thanks for the high praise, Albert!
This channel is awesome! Keep it up Ward and thank you for your service.
I had vLSO for FSX and it simulates carrier landings. I useed the Goshawk T45 Trainer and I found this the most difficult of challenges to perform. You make it sound so easy but it is a testiment to your training and skill that Navy pilots execute this exercise so accurately. Thanks for a great description of Carrier Ops
Great video, thank you! I had a friend in HS that became an F-14 pilot (Michael "Vida" Blue). It was a dream come true for him as it would be for anyone flying in the Tomcat!
I love how happy that model makes him.
As an IC on the original CV-67 USS John F. Kennedy, my duty on her from '93-96, was probably the best I served in my 13+ years!
Thanks for that video. The pilots always seemed like gods or prima donnas and never spoke to just your average enlisted personnel unless they had to when walking through a p-way (although I was in charge of the onboard Television studio so I feel like I was pretty damned important). Just kidding, all the same team. Thanks for that video. Most was familiar but I never could sit and chat with a pilot(or RIO) about their world.
Thank you for your video, all this information helps when I "get in" the F-14 in DCS world and wonder what it was really like. As an aviator, I always try to imagine what it must have been really like so that I can understand and appreciate what is, or was involved, so I can walk away with a lesson that I can apply to my understanding of the challenges of flight in as many aspects as possible. It is like the flying experience is an overall collective experience, and your videos add to this, and I appreciate you sharing so much.
Thanks Ward. As a PLAT and FLOLS crew member this brought back many memories of launches, recoveries and 16 hour days. I was on the Enterprise IN 1974/75. We deployed with the first 2 squadrons of F14s in VF-1 and VF-2
3 years on the Kitty Hawk 1983 - 86. Favorite pastime was watching night ops from the observation deck above the bridge. Man, seeing those 5 zone afterburners fire up and deflect off those JBD's you could actually feel the heat as that Tomcat roared down the flight deck! Good times I wouldn't trade for anything. That bird had its own distinct roar that you would feel to your bones.
My dad was as well he calls it the shitty kitty.
@@AndrewV-tm7ys ...Yep, that was her nickname. What years was he on her?
@@Vod-Kaknockers 76-78 I believe.
@@AndrewV-tm7ys..Ok, couple years before me then. 😉
Love your work and a Beatles fan as well way cool.
your stories are priceless. we are lucky to hear it straight from the source that lived it
Excellent channel! Never flew Naval aviation myself but years ago at the DC Air and Space Museum saw an amazing video of actual carrier flight ops in operation and been impressed at the skill and dedication ever since at trying to land at a moving target.Thank you for giving us civilians some "inside baseball "insights and thank you for your service!
Hi Ward, I too only just discovered your channel and for once can say thanks to the algorithm for getting it's shit right. At 43 yrs old I grew up idolising the F 14 and more so after top gun so a quick thanks for your great work letting myself experience your stories here.
I love the F-14 but I am here because I'm waiting for a rig rundown!!
Looks like a SC20H Studio Classic on a vertical 2x12 cab, a Hot Rod Deluxe (Thought it was maybe a Blues Jr. but you can just barely make out that it has a power *and* standby switch), a Rickenbacker 620, a Les Paul (likely a Standard), what I believe is a Taylor 414ce and a Yamaha GL1 guitalele. Correct me if I'm wrong!
@@MuscleDad420 Correct, except it is a Blues Junior. Good eye!
This takes me back to Plane Guard and watching F-14s launch and land. Rimpacs and liberty.
As a pilot from an early age, I so appreciate your videos. Hearing you discuss landing brings back memories of watching some poor guy trying to trap multiple times onto the Kittyhawk one night until finally I guess they decided the problem was mechanical and he diverted to Atsugi. Thanks for the great videos. You've earned my subscription.
Great video and explanation of flight ops from the aircrew perspective. I got to experience the same from the perspective of the squadron flight deck crew with VMAQ-3 onboard CV-66, USS America. We were the first Marine EA6B squadron to deploy onboard carrier since the mishap you mentioned in the video. There was quite a bit of anxiety coming from the Ready Room when we got the orders.
Also, what you said about Grumman planes are happiest when they are being used brought a smile to my face, because it is absolutely true!
Ty for the REAL DEAL ! 😎
Just came across your channel A few days ago. This is literally my favorite video on RUclips. Amazing presentation and informative. For a second I thought that I was attending my imaginary F 14 training. Thank you for taking time out
I started off as a plane captain on A-7’s, then troubleshooter on F-18’s. The Tomcat, and for some crazy reason, the A-6 and EA-6B were always my favorite birds to be around on deck. Miss it every day. Thanks for your wonderful videos, sir.
Wow, so interesting to hear how it really works and what actually goes on. I stumbled across your channel this morning now I'm hooked and working my way through your videos. Brilliant!
Thanks for mentioning the S-3. The Fat Kids deserve love too!
Fly Navy!
I always enjoyed watching but mostly listening to the S-3’s when they flew from North Island over to Miramar to do Touch and Go’s. SH airplane!
@@michaelsmoak1146 it’s funny you mention that because I’ve been there before watching them come in over the beach and I couldn’t get over how loud they were. Especially the S-3’s.
Very cool brief on the F14 preflight and TO procedures. An old Nimitz Sailor, HM2, circa 1980 GONZO Station, during the Iranian Hostage crisis. Thats a rather "salty" looking flight jacket you have there....LOL
I'm an old Nimitz sailor during the same time. Our squadron flew EA6B Prowler aircraft from Whidbey Island
What a great video. I had the privilege of serving as a Catapult Electrician on Ike (CVN69) from '83-'86 and worked the flight deck as a 20 year old and at night no less. It was the most amazing experience. Thanks for giving us some insights into flight ops! Go Navy!
The whole thing gave me chills as you marched up to the point where they launch the bird! Now that is the sign of a great storyteller!
That was fascinating to listen to Ward. I'm a new sub after your Goose video. Looking forward to hearing you talk more about the Tomcat... hopefully can help me improve in DCS.
There is the 'How things go' when you read the manual, the publication, the MRC or Pre-Op Card, then there is the layman's explanation. My father worked for Cleveland Pneumatic (that eventually became BF Goodrich Landing Gear, before folding and moving the operation to Texas) and the F-14 gears (especially the nose gear) was his pride and joy to 'make go'. My part in the operation was making sure TPTB had Tow Bars, Hydraulic Units to service and test, Jacks to lift for Drop Checks, even the ungodly mechanical mess that was the F-14 A/C Sling... and NAN carts. I was fortune to only have to deal with F-14 PSE at Point Mugu in support of VX-9 (when I got to the Ike for my last tour, CAG-7 had already transitioned to the E/F Rhinos. I still have a solid hatred for the ETU-110/E Engine Trailer...). Before that, I only knew to curse P-3's and various Marine Helo's... but at Mugu, i got the support the Black Bunny!
After listening to this I'm tempted to buy the Supercarrier in DCS lol
@@MarighnamaniMr do it. It's a worthwhile purchase, as is the F14 or Hornet.
@@Tank50us will definitely do that
Try dcs its a combat sim and it has the f-14! I think you would like it you can press every button on the aircraft
jester tho
yeea i like pressing buttons
If he has the computing power to run it, DCS is a beefy sim.
@@PS-mw9cc Jester is no problem, he punches out on 80% of my flights and that shuts him him 100%
yessssssssssssss i would love to see him fly it!!! has he ever acknowledged DCS in any of his comments or vids??
Thank you for the presentation of the G-14 carrier takeoff and landing procedures. It was extremely informative and exciting to listen too!
Love your channel Ward. I wasn’t an aviator, I was in the Navy, enlisted and served on the Teddy Roosevelt, CVN-71, from 95 through 99. Come from a big navy family including my father, grandfather, and uncles and cousins on mom and dads side including a couple of aviators, (P3 and H60 pilots.) currently work for the Navy as a GS civilian now. Loved my time in and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Best decision I ever made. Keep up the good content!!
I thank you, Ward Carroll, for your service to our country.
New sub here! Loving the content boss
Same here
Very, VERY, well done Ward! Thank you! I grew up in Ocean View so I had a front row to the glide path coming in...Carrier stuff is great, too!!
Awesome videos I worked for many years just west of Miramar NAS San Diego during the Tomcat days and always loved the sight and sounds of so many magnificent jets operating there. F4's F8's A4, A6, A3. as well. Thanks!
Former F-14 Plane Captain here. VF-154, VF-1, NFWS. USS Constellation, USS Independence, USS Ranger. Bravo Zulu!
Love me some plane captains!
Thanks for your service. I did a couple of westpacs (1 on the connie and 1 on the indy), guaranteed we may have passed each other several times. I worked in AIMD, right next to your TARPS guys (regular poker group, we were).
AD3 VF 51. Screaming Eagles
Best days of my youth
New Guy here. Loved your explanation. Spent 5 hours on the Nimitz, San Diego. Loved it. Wife as well. She got rewarded by answering all the deck handlers questions crrectly right down to the positioning of the dog-bone, Atagirl . Chuffed. Fly RC now. Loads of excitement. Tks
Great video and thanks for posting! I flew H52 helicopters in the Coast Guard and after that was a sim instructor at NAS Corpus. My initial training was in T34’s at Saufley and T28’s at Whiting. I really like this channel so keep up the good work!
The Capt. Of my ship was Capt. L. “Pappy” Ernst. He would have the Forrestal’s F-14s do flyby’s, on the deck, all the time for his crew. That was exciting stuff.
Sounds like Pappy knew a thing or two about maintaining morale on his ship.
Even as an old enlisted AF guy love watching carrier ops. Much respect 👍👍🇺🇸
I just came across your channel and am fascinated. I am a retired Navy ETC, retired in 1988. One of my tours was with CTF-60 staff from 1982-1984, between the two Gulf of Sidra events. During that time the staff was forwarded deployed in the Med, and we rode 4 carriers: Nimitz, Eisenhower, Independence and JFK. Being on the staff I spent many hours on the flag bridge watching flight opps. Watching the F-14s on the cat was always amazing. At night, when the pilot went to burner after the JBD was raised, the engine exhaust, a bright purple flame, hit the JBD then shot straight up probably 20 ft. I never grew tired of watching the flight deck ballet.
I was with RVAH-1 "Smokin' Tigers" for a cruise and a half aboard the Enterprise CVN-65 back in the 70s. At that time, Subic Bay was still open in the Philippines. And yes, they had local guys who made incredible airplane models out of wood. I bought the RA-5C Vigilante for my squadron. Great video!
I must say, you are a great instructor.
One note, though: you completely forgot to mention what keeps the airplane attached to the ship when she goes into tension, and what happens with the holdback bar when the shooter actually punches the button.
You my friend are asking about the dog bone right? It's designed to break under the right amount of pressure. That is why the weight board is important.
I was wondering why the holdback bar was not mentioned too. My understanding after four years on USS Enterprise was that the engines by themselves could not break the holdback but the combination of engine thrust and the catapult would break the holdback and begin the launch. I was an ET working on radars and ACLS and not part of the aircrew so I cannot be certain about that. Tell us more Ward.
Funny, the pilot sees everything going on around the aircraft as it is configured for launch, but he can't see the holdback bar so that's why Ward didn't talk about it (just joking). Enterprise (68,69) F4, A4, A6, A7, plus RA5-C, A3, C1, ...
I just very recently read your little anecdote in “Bye Bye, Baby” Mooch, was fun to see you essentially tell it again here!
Excellent description of flt ops, started my career as a grape on the Lake Champlain 6 carriers later was Command Master Chief on Saratoga, your you tube stuff is spot on, many memories. My sincere thanks for your efforts and respects for your distinguished service thanks Capt.
Such a great episode. Second time through it. Good work sir!
Great video lovely information, you need to take a look at DCS and specifically the F14 and Super Carrier modules, I'm confident you'll love it 👍
Really want to understand the holdback bar… how it can grab ENOUGH to hold the jet back, and is overpowered by the cat stroke…
It has a "mechanical fuse" - it is strong enough to hold the aircraft back until the cat is actuated & the mechanical fuse breaks thus releasing the aircraft to accelerate off the deck.
It is engineered to break at a specific pressure. The holdback looks (looked?) like a small dumbbell. One end slides into a slot of the aircraft, the other end slides into a fitting on the deck, and the middle section (where you would hold a dumbbell) breaks when the cat fires. Half of the holdback stays on the ship while the other half remains attached to the aircraft during the flight.
Thank you sir, I have been binge watching your content since finding your channel a few days ago. An avid F14 fan and really enjoy the insights you share. Cheers from New Zealand
I was ship’s company on the Kennedy 84-89. I’m still amazed at the skill of Navy pilots. Thanks for an awesome video