Battle conditions may make it necessary to keep the
catapults in Ready condition, with the pistons in battery
position and aircraft positioned on the catapults. Under
these circumstances, the water-brake pumps must be
kept operating, and all personnel must remain at their
proper stations, prepared to launch at very short notice.
Integrated Catapult Control Station (ICCS)
Launching Procedures
Where the ICCS is the primary mode of controlling
fixed-wing-aircraft launching operations, the following
procedures apply:
As the ship approaches the launch course, the air
officer monitors the wind repeater and keeps the
launching officer(s) advised of the relative wind
velocity. When permission to launch aircraft is received
from the bridge, a final check must be made to ensure
relative wind is within the limits prescribed in the
applicable launching bulletin. This is accomplished
before changing the rotating beacon(s) from red to
green, which lights the Pri-Fly “GO LIGHT” on the
catapult officers ICCS console, thereby clearing the
launching officer(s) to begin launching.
The following steps must be completed before the
launching officer assumes control of the aircraft. Before
aircraft tension, the hookup petty officer performs the
following:
1.
raised.
2.
aircraft.
3.
4.
The
Ensures that appropriate jet blast deflectors are
Supervises the attachment of the holdback to
Checks the catapult area forward.
Gives the tension signal to the director.
catapult director performs the following:
1. Checks the catapult area forward.
2. Ensures that the appropriate jet blast deflectors
are raised and that all personnel are clear of the jet blast
and prop wash.
3. Signals the launching officer in the ICCS to
take tension, while signaling the pilot to RELEASE
BRAKES; the pilot in turn applies power as specified
in the NATOPS Manual for that type of aircraft,
4. After the aircraft is tensioned on the catapult,
signals the pilot, if required, to RAISE THE
AIRCRAFT LAUNCH BAR.
5. Turns the aircraft over to the ICCS deck signal
lights.
After tension is taken, the hookup petty officer
performs the following:
1. Inspects for proper aircraft hookup and
alignment.
2. Ensures that all personnel are clear of the
aircraft on the catapult.
3. Inspects the launch bar to ensure proper
engagement with the catapult shuttle after full power
application and catapult tensioning are completed.
4. Signals “THUMBS UP” to the catapult safety
observer with a hand or wand signal if all conditions
are satisfactory for launch.
The squadron aircraft inspector performs the
following:
1. Makes a final inspection of the aircraft for
proper configuration; flaps; trim settings; leaks; and
loose panels, doors, or hatches.
2. Signals “THUMBS UP” to the catapult safety
observer with a hand or wand signal if all conditions
are satisfactory for launch.
CAUTION
If there is any doubt in the mind of the
hookup petty officer, director, or squadron
aircraft inspector as to satisfactory hookup or
aircraft configuration, he or she must so
indicate to the catapult safety observer by
initiating a crossed arm SUSPEND signal (day)
or a horizontal wand movement (night), The
catapult safety observer then signals SUSPEND
to the launching officer in the ICCS.
The catapult safety observer performs the following:
1. Visually checks for proper aircraft hookup and
alignment.
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