In article , Jeff Crowell says...

a425couple wrote:
In 1972 they were working on automated carrier landings.
What is current status?

Jeff Crowell wrote:
Coupled landings are still possible but not common--the pilots
hate them for a number of reasons, and in truth there is little
motivation or incentive to do them except in extreme need-- - -

a425couple wrote:
Thank you. Kind'a predictable. Do you have any data on odds of damage
per landing?

None, so long as the system stays up, the hook catches the wire,
the wire doesn't fail, the a-gear is set right, the (landing)
gear don't fold up, noting falls off the jet, etc.

It would not make much sense to accept for use a system in
which routine use of it caused damage. With, let it be said,
the exception of systems intended for use during casualties,
such as the barricade (which use would IMO beggar the
definition of 'routine').



Jeff

My carrier qual experience consisted of watching a squadron of Marine A6s
qualify on the Midway about 10 miles off Oahu. The best part of the experience
was riding an S2 crunched up with three others in what was basically the size of
steamer trunk.