If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
questions for Naval aviators
Is anyone here familiar with carrier-based aircraft operations?
My first question is, on naval aircraft, what are the three colored lights for on the front? Usually mounted on the front landing gear, three different colors. Also, last time I was out in San Diego to visit my brother, we visited the U.S.S. Midway. Among the aircraft on display was a jet trainer, couldn't tell you the type. Seems like the thing had lights everywhere, including both red and green nav. lights on each wingtip? What is the purpose of this? Thanks to anyone who can cure my curiousity. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Mike W." wrote in message ... Is anyone here familiar with carrier-based aircraft operations? A wee bit. My first question is, on naval aircraft, what are the three colored lights for on the front? Usually mounted on the front landing gear, three different colors. They're called approach lights. They indicate aircraft angle of attack for the Landing Signal Officers (typically tied into the landing gear position .... won't illuminate without 3 down and locked ... and the tailhook ... flash if the hook isn't down with the correct selection of the field/carrier switch). Amber indicates on speed + or - 1 unit angle of attack, Green indicates slow, Red indicates fast. Very useful to monitor the approach (primarily at night, there are better cues in the daytime). Also, last time I was out in San Diego to visit my brother, we visited the U.S.S. Midway. Among the aircraft on display was a jet trainer, couldn't tell you the type. Seems like the thing had lights everywhere, including both red and green nav. lights on each wingtip? What is the purpose of this? Haven't been there, but the web site indicates they have the T-2C Buckeye. It has just been retired from intermediate strike training. R / John |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
If you stayed between the lights on each wing tip you couldn't get lost!
"Mike W." wrote in message ... Is anyone here familiar with carrier-based aircraft operations? My first question is, on naval aircraft, what are the three colored lights for on the front? Usually mounted on the front landing gear, three different colors. Also, last time I was out in San Diego to visit my brother, we visited the U.S.S. Midway. Among the aircraft on display was a jet trainer, couldn't tell you the type. Seems like the thing had lights everywhere, including both red and green nav. lights on each wingtip? What is the purpose of this? Thanks to anyone who can cure my curiousity. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Frankly speaking, personally I was interested what are for the "traffic
lights" on the bow end of the carrier (probably they have something to do with catapults' readiness?) or what exactly mean red, yellow, or green pins on the aircraft figures in the "ouija board" room;-) Coming back to your question, Mike, similar angle-of-attack lights (every one different shape) you can find in the cockpit, close to HUD. Some years ago I thought they're from weapon status ("armed" - "stand by" - "safe"), but I was wrong;-) Best regards, Jacek |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"John Carrier" wrote in message ... "Mike W." wrote in message ... Is anyone here familiar with carrier-based aircraft operations? A wee bit. My first question is, on naval aircraft, what are the three colored lights for on the front? Usually mounted on the front landing gear, three different colors. They're called approach lights. They indicate aircraft angle of attack for the Landing Signal Officers (typically tied into the landing gear position ... won't illuminate without 3 down and locked ... and the tailhook ... flash if the hook isn't down with the correct selection of the field/carrier switch). Amber indicates on speed + or - 1 unit angle of attack, Green indicates slow, Red indicates fast. Very useful to monitor the approach (primarily at night, there are better cues in the daytime). Also, last time I was out in San Diego to visit my brother, we visited the U.S.S. Midway. Among the aircraft on display was a jet trainer, couldn't tell you the type. Seems like the thing had lights everywhere, including both red and green nav. lights on each wingtip? What is the purpose of this? Haven't been there, but the web site indicates they have the T-2C Buckeye. It has just been retired from intermediate strike training. R / John Thanks, John. I seemed to have gotten a consistent answer on the first question (angle-of-attack lights) but the red and green nav light on each wing still has me puzzled. Perhaps it's a training tool for night flying. For example, the lights are reversed from normal (port green, starboard red) then a trainer in another plane asks the student, "OK which way is that plane flying?" Or maybe to confuse the enemy in the ground? |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
here's a link to a pic of one of the wingtips. Anybody have an educated
guess? Other side is the same way. http://www.clubhyper.com/images/t2cb...nav-lights.jpg |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
"Mike W." wrote
Thanks, John. I seemed to have gotten a consistent answer on the first question (angle-of-attack lights) but the red and green nav light on each wing still has me puzzled. Perhaps it's a training tool for night flying. For example, the lights are reversed from normal (port green, starboard red) then a trainer in another plane asks the student, "OK which way is that plane flying?" Or maybe to confuse the enemy in the ground? Naw...they are there so that he has the correct lights when flying inverted. Bob Moore |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
"Mike W." wrote...
Among the aircraft on display was a jet trainer, couldn't tell you the type. Seems like the thing had lights everywhere, including both red and green nav. lights on each wingtip? What is the purpose of this? Haven't been there, but the web site indicates they have the T-2C Buckeye. It has just been retired from intermediate strike training. R / John Thanks, John. I seemed to have gotten a consistent answer on the first question (angle-of-attack lights) but the red and green nav light on each wing still has me puzzled. IIRC, the tip tank light assemblies were "universal" or interchangeable on the Taco 2 Chalupa. Put it on the other side, and hook up the light you need. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Mike,
The lights on the nose gear tell the Landing Signal Officer on board the carrier whether the plane is 'on speed' or not. That way he knows if the plane is coming in too fast, or too slow, or 'on speed.' Then he tells the pilot to either speed up or slow down. The lights on the wings allow other aircaft to know if the plane they are seeing in coming or going. Which is really important if you are at the same altitude. On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 18:32:36 -0500, "Mike W." wrote: Is anyone here familiar with carrier-based aircraft operations? My first question is, on naval aircraft, what are the three colored lights for on the front? Usually mounted on the front landing gear, three different colors. Also, last time I was out in San Diego to visit my brother, we visited the U.S.S. Midway. Among the aircraft on display was a jet trainer, couldn't tell you the type. Seems like the thing had lights everywhere, including both red and green nav. lights on each wingtip? What is the purpose of this? Thanks to anyone who can cure my curiousity. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
questions for Naval aviators | Mike W. | Piloting | 3 | March 11th 05 11:25 PM |
Homebuilt Aircraft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Ron Wanttaja | Home Built | 0 | October 1st 04 02:31 PM |
Homebuilt Aircraft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Ron Wanttaja | Home Built | 0 | May 1st 04 07:29 PM |
Homebuilt Aircraft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Ron Wanttaja | Home Built | 0 | April 5th 04 03:04 PM |
Homebuilt Aircraft Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ) | Ron Wanttaja | Home Built | 0 | July 4th 03 04:50 PM |