Carrier Landing

Here's some video footage of an A-6 approaching an aircraft carrier and landing. It was taken from the cockpit by the copilot. The conditions are ideal......calm sea, daylight and a stable aircraft. This for all of us who have not had the privilege - - With the volume up, you can even hear the power changes necessary to maintain precision glide slope and prepare for bolter (a.k.a. abort the landing) in the event the arrest wire is missed. Feels like you are in the aircraft. Imagine what this would be like at night in IMC (instrument meteorological conditions - a.k.a. pea soup)!

This is a very neat video. If you look very carefully, shortly before the plane touches down, you can see the "meatball" to the left; the orange light between the row of green lights that tells the pilot he's on heading and on glide slope. Imagine landing on a moving postage stamp!

Thanks to Gulfstream (and former Army) pilot, Bob Ozbolt, for text & video!