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Instrument Approaches to a Carrier?

Old 06-30-2009, 01:21 PM
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Default Instrument Approaches to a Carrier?

I was watching a show the other day about two new Naval Officers training on the F-14. They had to be some of the last people being trained on the aircraft considering this documentary looked very recent.
They we're doing carrier landings in the day and at night and that's where my question comes from.
What happens when the weather is less than marginal? Are there some sort of modified instrument approaches set up to a carrier? I was reading about the use of TACAN and radar approaches, but couldn't find that much on it.
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Old 06-30-2009, 01:48 PM
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Perhaps they just move the airport to better weather?
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Old 06-30-2009, 03:25 PM
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I recall a "friend of mine" shooting a TACAN approach to the carrier in a KC-10.
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Old 06-30-2009, 04:04 PM
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Yes, indeed instrument approaches are used to get aboard Navy ships at-sea. TACANs are installed aboard almost every ship with an aviation capability. This capability may only consist of a VERTREP spot for helicopters to drop their sling loads.
Carriers have TACAN approaches that usually incorporate a marshalling stack off a DME arc. ACLS (Automatic Carrier Landing System) uses radar and a data link to provide vertical/lateral guidance to the deck. The ACLS can also be used to "hand-fly" using a display that looks similiar to an ILS, but projected on the HUD. Finally, a CCA (Carrier controlled Approach) can be used which is very similar to a PAR/GCA. So, lots of ways to make it aboard for mid-rats!

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Old 06-30-2009, 04:08 PM
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http://www.tsretirees.org/memory/Femiano.doc

http://file.sunshinepress.org:54445/...atops-2004.pdf

Lots of good info on Naval Aviation..
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Old 06-30-2009, 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by jcaplins View Post
Perhaps they just move the airport to better weather?
Never. The boat always steers directly for the first cloud it sees. It will change course to steer directly into a thunderstorm but never into clear air. I think it's a rule the Nuke SWOs get taught day one of "how to drive the carrier" school.
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Old 06-30-2009, 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by BE19Pilot View Post
Yes, indeed instrument approaches are used to get aboard Navy ships at-sea. TACANs are installed aboard almost every ship with an aviation capability. This capability may only consist of a VERTREP spot for helicopters to drop their sling loads.
Carriers have TACAN approaches that usually incorporate a marshalling stack off a DME arc. ACLS (Automatic Carrier Landing System) uses radar and a data link to provide vertical/lateral guidance to the deck. The ACLS can also be used to "hand-fly" using a display that looks similiar to an ILS, but projected on the HUD. Finally, a CCA (Carrier controlled Approach) can be used which is very similar to a PAR/GCA. So, lots of ways to make it aboard for mid-rats!

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead
Pretty good except you left out the ICLS which is a carrier version of an ILS (not compatible). In a hornet, the ILS looks like a ILS needles and is called "bullseye" and the ACLS looks like a bullseye and is called "needles." I'm sure it made sense back in the day on some old jet.
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Old 06-30-2009, 08:10 PM
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How proficient are Navy pilots at instruments? (ILS, etc) I understand that the Navy does not use LOC / GS at any of its airfields at all, PAR only.
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Old 06-30-2009, 09:41 PM
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As far as I remember from AIS, the TACAN system was developed specifially for AC carriers. It's size fits well on top, as opposed to the big VOR stations.
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Old 07-01-2009, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy View Post
I recall a "friend of mine" shooting a TACAN approach to the carrier in a KC-10.
A KC-10 on a carrier?
That's not a tailhook...
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