Informative

How Do Fighter Jets Land On Aircraft Carriers?

Published

1 year ago

06/09/2022

If you’ve ever attempted to land a plane before, perhaps in a simulator or maybe even in real life, you know that it takes a significant amount of runway length to bring a plane to a complete stop. If an entire runway of such a great length is required for an aircraft to land, then how do fighter jets land on aircraft carriers where the runway length is just a mere fraction of the length of actual runways at airports? In this article, we will explore how fighter jets can go from high speeds to stationary in just a matter of seconds.

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To begin with, let’s put into perspective how short the runway on an aircraft carrier actually is. Typical runways at airports range from 8000 feet to 13000 feet in length, but an aircraft carrier’s runway is only around 500 feet long. This means that airport runways are 13 to 26 times as long as aircraft carrier runways.

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Method

With a runway this short, the pilots of these aircraft carrier fighter jets must follow a strict procedure to ensure their safety and the safety of those on the deck of the carrier:

Before being cleared to land, fighter jet pilots must circle around in an oval pattern somewhere near the aircraft carrier. The air traffic controller on the carrier will then decide which jets are qualified to land first based on their fuel levels. The jets will exit the pattern one by one and wait their turn to land after the runway has been vacated by the previous pilot.

After an aircraft is cleared to land on the carrier, the pilot will lower a device known as a tailhook on the end of the plane. This device is exclusive to carrier-based aircraft and consists of a metal pole with a hook on the end.

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As a fighter jet pilot approaches the aircraft carrier, a mechanism known as the Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System activates and guides the pilot on a safe path down to the carrier runway. The Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System shoots out beams of light that indicate to the pilot if he or she is flying too low or too high. The pilot will see a beam of amber light in relation to green lights. If this amber light is above the green lights, the pilot is approaching too high; if the amber light is below the green lights, the pilot is approaching too low.

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In the last moments before touchdown, the pilot will align the fighter jet to catch one of the arresting wires on the runway of the carrier using its tailhook. These arresting wires are made of several interwoven high-tensile steel wires and are attached to a hydraulic system below the deck of the carrier. There are usually 3-4 parallel arresting wires on the deck of the carrier, each spaced around 50 feet apart. Pilots are instructed to aim for the 3rd wire, although any of the other ones work. As the fighter jet hits the runway and pulls on one of the wires, it will prompt the lower hydraulic systems to absorb all of the energy from the speed of the plane and bring it to a stop. These wires, along with the hydraulic systems, are highly effective in absorbing the immense amount of energy when a fighter jet lands on the carrier and are able to stop aircraft in a matter of seconds.

After safely on the runway, the deck crew on the carrier will move the plane to the side of the carrier and secure it down to the deck.

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Safety Procedures

The process of landing an aircraft safely on an aircraft carrier is never guaranteed to be completely flawless. There are always plenty of risks associated with performing such a task. One of the practices that pilots are instructed to do when landing on an aircraft carrier is to push the aircraft to full throttle as soon as it touches down on the runway. This is to ensure that if the pilot misses the arresting wire, they will have enough speed to take off again and try again. Powering the engines to full power when landing won’t be an issue for the arresting wires since the hydraulics are capable enough to overcome this force.

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Pushing an aircraft to full throttle right in the vicinity of ground personnel is undoubtedly a dangerous move. As a result, the deck crew assisting with these landings are equipped with a variety of safety equipment, such as self-inflating life jackets in case they are blown into the water by engine blasts.

In the scenario where an aircraft attempting to land on the carrier has had a malfunction or a failure of some sort, the deck crew will raise a crash barricade made of sturdy wires to try to stop the aircraft. The deck crew will also be waiting with a multitude of fire-extinguishing tools, just like at a normal airport, if this happens.

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Landing on an aircraft carrier is undeniably a risky and perilous task, but with these procedures in place, the chance of failure or death can be significantly lowered. However, even with these careful steps, landing on an aircraft carrier is not guaranteed to be a safe operation, and remains to only be performed by the best of pilots.

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Source:

https://science.howstuffworks.com/aircraft-carrier4.htm

https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/how-planes-land-on-aircraft-carriers-short-runways

Cover Image: Sandboxx

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Related Topics:avgeeks Military Military Aviation

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Informative

Are you dreaming of becoming a pilot? Aer Lingus & British Airways Cadet Program Paves the Way to a Flying Career

Published

1 month ago

14/08/2023

Giuliano

Embarking on an aviation career has always been a dream for countless individuals who are passionate about flying. The Aer Lingus Cadet and British Airways Cadet Program are remarkable opportunity that transforms these dreams into reality, offering aspiring pilots a structured and comprehensive pathway to becoming esteemed aviation professionals.

This article dives into the details of the Aer Lingus and BA Cadet Programs, highlighting its distinctive features, benefits, and the exciting journey it offers those who aspire to navigate the vast expanse of the sky.

Aer Lingus Cadet Program

The first and most important thing: Hurry up! The deadline approaches: you can send your application till the 16/08/2023 by 17:00 GMT.

The cadet program offers intense and structured training (around 14 months) that covers all aspects of piloting. From theoretical classroom instruction to hands-on flight experience, cadets undergo a thorough training regimen that prepares them for the challenges of the aviation industry. The training is held at the famous FTE Jerez, in southern Spain. Successful candidates will be offered a Type Rating (which lasts about 12 weeks) on the most used plane in Europe: Airbus A320, and the base will be obviously Dublin.

The minimum and educational criteria are listed in the offer. There is also a comprehensive Q&A that answers the most asked question and a friendly welcome video about the airline’s new livery. According to the cadet website, the ideal cadet “will need to possess excellent communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills, as well as an appreciation of the service our customers expect.” The course is totally bonded from the airline, which means there will be a bond to cover the cost of the training and other associated costs, and for a period after the cadet commences as a First Officer.

BA Cadet Program: The Speedbird Pilot Academy

Unlikely the Aer Lingus one, for this cadet program, you do not need to be in a rush since the applications are currently still closed and will open in September 2023. It’s anyway worth having a look at the conditions and requirements; as September approaches, British is setting the maximum number of cadets: 60. If you wanna be part of the lucky (and skilled) “60”, have a look at the minimum requirements and don’t miss the deadline application. The strictest requirement of British Airways is the language: the airline is asking the candidate to obtain an ICAO 6 in the English language.

The ICAO Aviation Language certificate can be obtained directly with the CAA or through a recognized and authorized language school. The ICAO 6 certificate is particularly useful since it has no expiration date (unlikely ICAO4 and 5, which last respectively 4 and 5 years).

The training with BA will last about 18 months, and exactly as for the Aer Lingus Cadet Program, it’s fully funded by the airline. For more questions, on the 22nd of August, BA will be running a live Q&A session between 12 and 13 (UK Time). More info and the link to join the call are here: Come and Meet us (ba.com)

Are you dreaming of becoming a pilot, but you never had a chance due to economic problems or lack of motivation? Well, this is your chance! Apply and give your best to realize your dream!

Informative

Flag Carriers as a Symbol of Honor: Between Past and Present

Published

1 month ago

11/08/2023

Mai Adel

Most of the world’s countries have their flag carriers for financial and national duties. A flag carrier is considered an international representative of a country as it stands as a symbol of pride. Therefore, some passengers are keen to ride the flag carrier of their countries as it reflects their identity. However, what is the history of flag carriers?

History of Flag Carriers:

The term “flag carrier” emerged when countries established state-owned airline companies. However, because of the high cost of running such companies, the governments took the initiative to support these companies financially. At this time, there were many airline companies entirely owned by governments. However, a flag carrier can be subsidized or owned by the country, and it has preferential rights or privileges by the government for international operations. In the innovation industry, flag carriers have both financial and symbolic importance. Thus, most countries of the world have their flag carriers.

Countries have Flag Carriers:

Most countries have their flag carriers representing their identity and nationalism worldwide. Examples of these flag carriers are:

Air France

Egyptair
Oman Air

Qatar Airways

However, nowadays, it is not conditionally an airline owned or subsidized by a country. The literal meaning of a flag carrier is an airline carrying its country’s flag worldwide. Now, it can be an airline the country supports to be its flag carrier. For example, the British Kingdom does not own British Airways, but it carries the British flag all over the world. The people recognize it as the British flag carrier. However, some countries do not have a flag carrier but have two, like the United Arab Emirates, but why?

The UAE Has Two Flag Carriers:

If a flag carrier is a symbol of identity and pride, does having two change the equation? The answer to this question is that it does not change the equation this much, but it is more like meeting the country’s needs. Having a two-flag carrier is normal for a country, such as the UAE, in this geopolitical situation. The two Flag carriers are Emirates, the first flag carrier based in Dubai, and Etihad Airways, the second flag carrier based in Abu Dhabi. The royal family established both airlines. Though the UAE has two flag carriers, some of the countries do not have any, such as the US, but why?

The US has no Flag Carrier:

It is true that now the United States of America has no flag carrier, but this has not been the case in the past. In the past, the US had Pan Am, the unofficial US flag carrier in the 20th century. However, running an airline costs a lot. Pan Am could not stand the market and went bankrupt in 1991. Since then, the US has not had a flag carrier, though it has major international airlines, such as American Airlines. Regardless of the current situation of the flag carriers, what are the expectations for their future?

The Future of Flag Carriers:

As we live in the era of technology, predicting the future of something is not a wise move. However, the competition in the aviation market is so fierce, and running an airline company is not a joke. Seeking honor and pride in running an airline is great. However, the competition in the market knows nothing about honor and pride. Maybe, some of the flag carriers will prosper, and some of them will vanish. This thing only time can tell.

Informative

Flying Cars: The Future of Transportation?

Published

1 month ago

08/08/2023

Ahmed Adel

Flying cars have been a dream of science fiction writers for decades, but they are now becoming a reality. Many companies are working on developing these cars, and some of them are already making significant progress.

What are flying cars?

Flying cars are vehicles that can take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. They are also capable of flying horizontally, like an airplane. This makes them a versatile form of transportation that can be used for both personal and commercial purposes.

There are two main types of these cars: eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) and tilt rotors. eVTOLs use electric motors to power their rotors, while tilt rotors use a combination of electric motors and propellers.

The different types of flying cars

There are many different types of flying cars being developed, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Here are a few examples:

PAL-V Liberty: The PAL-V Liberty is a tilt-rotor that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 160 mph and a range of 100 miles.

AeroMobil 3.0: AeroMobil 3.0 is another tilt rotor that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 200 mph and a range of 435 miles.

eVTOL Volocopter: The eVTOL Volocopter is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 62 mph and a range of 22 miles.

SkyDrive SD-03: The SkyDrive SD-03 is an eVTOL that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of 62 miles.

The challenges of the developing

There are a number of challenges that need to be overcome before these cars become mainstream. One challenge is safety. Flying cars need to be extremely safe in order to be approved for public use. Another challenge is regulation. Governments must develop new regulations for flying cars before they can be flown in our airspace.

The Potential Impact

If successful, flying cars could revolutionize commuting, travel, and logistics by making those activities faster, easier, and more flexible. Their future impact depends on overcoming hurdles related to safety, cost, and regulations. With progress in those areas, flying cars could become commonplace in the next few decades, fundamentally changing transportation.

The Future of Flying Cars

The transition to flying vehicles holds great potential for improving mobility. While still a developing technology, continued progress by companies working on these cars indicates they may ultimately transform how we move about and deliver goods.

“Flying cars are the future of transportation. They’re faster, more convenient, and more environmentally friendly than cars or airplanes.” – Elon Musk