If a hangfire occurs, personnel must
forward of the aircraft until all danger of
launching has passed.
The catapult must NOT be operated
not pass
a delayed
with any
known broken lockwires, loose or cracked component,
major hydraulic leakage, defective reeving, or electrical
control malfunction.
During any type of launching, live steam escapes
from the track and brake areas. As this steam can cause
severe scalding of exposed areas of the body, personnel
in the area must avoid contact with it. When the
catapult is in operating status, exposed metallic parts,
such as track covers, launching and exhaust valves, and
steam supply piping, may be hot enough to bum
exposed areas of the body on contact. Therefore,
operating personnel with duties in these areas should be
equipped with appropriate protective clothing.
Aircraft launchings must NOT be made if the
required minimum cylinder elongation has not been
attained. An exception to this rule may be made under
emergency
conditions
when
wind-over-deck
requirements have been increased as specified in
applicable Aircraft Launching Bulletins.
Aircraft must not be launched at weights and wind
requirements other than those specified in applicable
Aircraft Launching Bulletins. Maximum loading of
aircraft, as specified in the NATOPS Manual for each
type of aircraft, must be adhered to at all times.
Inspect all pumps and their limit switches and
safety valves. Failure of safety devices can result in
dangerous overpressures if the pump continues to
operate. This condition may result in rupture of
hydraulic pneumatic lines and danger to personnel. See
the applicable
NAVAIR technical manuals for
procedures to fight catapult fires and emergency
procedures for inoperable
Securing the Catapult
The catapult may be
three conditions:
steam-smothering systems.
secured under the following
READY—Inactive for short period of time (not
to exceed 12 hours).
STANDBY—Inactive for a long period of time
(more than 12 hours but less than 72 hours).
SHUTDOWN—Inactive for an extended period
of time (more than 72 hours).
READY. —The order to maintain the catapult in a
READY condition should be given when launching
operations are intermittent or when certain conditions
make it necessary to keep the catapult in a state of
preparedness for launching within seconds after an
order is given.
In the READY condition, the catapult is kept in a
fully operational status, as between launching cycles. If
time permits, steam pressure should be blown down and
a thorough visual inspection conducted in the
water-brake tank.
STANDBY. —If the order for the STANDBY
condition of securing is given, it usually comes after the
day’s launching operations are completed and there is
no possibility of additional launching within 12 hours.
The post-launch duties and inspection must be
performed according to the MRCs and those applicable
steps in the preceding paragraphs.
SHUTDOWN (COLD IRON) . —The order for
SHUTDOWN condition of securing the catapult is
given when it is known that the catapult is not to be
used in the immediate future or is not to be used for
some definite period of time. The SHUTDOWN
condition should also be ordered when the catapult is
secured for the purpose of maintenance or overhaul.
Personnel perform the post launch duties and
inspection according to MRCs before proceeding with
the securing operations. Secure the catapult for
SHUTDOWN as follows:
1. Secure all main steam charging and preheat
valves.
2. Skim and drain the water-brake tank.
MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTIONS
The entire catapult should be kept as clean as
possible. It should be wiped down daily to remove
excess grease, oil, and dirt. All catapult personnel
should be constantly alert for any unusual sound or
action of the machinery. Report any unusual condition
to the catapult officer for immediate investigation.
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