Carrier Launch from the "Bubble"

E-2C Hawkeye catapult number 1 launch from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during Fleet Carrier Qualifications (CQ) viewed from the bow bubble. Emphasis on verbal Mantra (script) utilized to ensure a safe launch. Created April 2005. Monitor: ABEC J. Shooter LCDR R.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• CVN69
• Navy
• carrier
• eisenhower
• catapult
• shooter
• hawkeye
• E-2
• bubble
• mantra
• flight
• deck

[briarsmoke]

What are the callouts the operator is making?

[scottvp45]

Flaps, Slats, Panels, Pins - Aircraft approaching the catapult is configured for takeoff

104 Set, Matched, confirmed - Catapult shot strength selected by the Shooter is verified by another team member for the aircraft based on Weight and the Wind Over the Deck

JBDs are up - Jet Blast Deflectors are up to protect aircraft and personnel behind the catapult

[scottvp45]

Checkers Out and Down - the troubleshooters for the Aircraft type are away from the aircraft and kneeling

Interval coming to the groove - Another aircraft approaching for landing is appropriately spaced in case he misses the wire to not conflict with the impending launch

Hooking One Cue to the cat team that the aircraft is about to be taken into tension on catapult number one

[scottvp45]

Tension on One depressed the tension button that removes slack between the nose gear components of the aircraft and the catapult

Good stroke, good hooks, mans out, thumbs up The tensioner piston stroked out successfully and the hooks of the holdback are properly engaged. The catapult personnel have left from under the aircraft and presented a thumbs up verifying the tension stroke

Mil power -The aircraft has powered the engines up and the catapult is further staged for launch

[scottvp45]

Winds/crosswinds Winds are checked and are within the initial set-up limits

Checkers like it Troubleshooters on the flight deck have observed the pilots final checks and see no problems (leaks, etc) with the aircraft

Salute Pilot has saluted meaning they are ready for the launch Final the last cat team member is out of the aircraft path and the catapult is 1 button away from firing

[scottvp45]

520, clear forward The Steam pressure is at least 520psi for launch and no one has walked into the launch path

Light, lights, winds/crosswinds Indicator lights on the panels show the catapult ready and no one has suspended the launch, and setup winds are verified for the last time

Heads steady the pilot is not shaking their head to suspend the launch

Shooting pressing the go fast button and making it all worth while!

[bowcatsafetyobs]

Sweet I was on IKE 1982-1986 worked on that Cat. I tell ya what if you are only experiencing through these videos you only get alittle of it. The feeling that you get right there, right next to the planes and the power behind the cats are beyond words.... Very nice video God Bless our troops and God Bless America.

[tdishdog]

I never get tired of this video

[CWP19]

Thing I like best - is the last thing the guy pushing the button checks is the pilot's head: "Head stays"... meaning the pilot is not shaking it off. Well done!

[marchdisco77]

@scottvp45 If the shooter is in the bubble,is there another yellow shirt shooter on the deck still doin the traditional one kne point or did they just place the officer shooter in a bubble? or am I not seein the whole picture. I was on the Uss KittyHawk which had no bubble. Care to shed some light on this for me?...Thanks

[beelzbub]

That guy was pro. Thanks for the explanation too, very cool stuff.

[beelzbub]

That guy was pro.

[737Pilot122]

@scottvp45 The "go fast button" lol

[mancoreta87]

is nice to see the fighters take off from the deck of aircraft carriers, naval pilots are the best in the world

[chesnut707]

wanna bet??? not always being used.....ALOT yes....usually flight ops only go from about 0800-2200. at night is when scrub-exs n what not are done. but there are ALWAYS alert birds set

[Eurofighter4]

yes it normally retracts when not used....

[cypris2003]

yes the bubble retracts into the deck to a space below after launch ops it is in the way when parking aircraft on the bow and for maintenance