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.
Shutdown
The order for SHUTDOWN condition of securing
the catapult is given when the catapult is placed out of
service for maintenance or when the ship is in port.
Cold Iron
When the catapult will not be required for
launching operations for an extended period of time, or
the steam system and preheat system must be secured
and the components allowed to cool down.
INSPECTIONS AND MALFUNCTIONS
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.
Periodic Inspections
Prior to the first launching of each day's operations,
execute the PMS preoperational inspection according
to the MRCs.
After each day's operation, perform the PMS
postoperational inspection according to the MRCs.
Other inspections must be conducted in addition to
preoperational and postoperational. These inspections
are also accomplished through the use of MRCs.
Prior to conducting an inspection or maintenance
on catapult equipment where an injury could occur
from careless operation, make sure the following safety
precautions have been accomplished in the order
indicated:
1.
Disconnect the grab from the shuttle and move
it fully aft.
2.
Close the main steam supply to the steam
accumulator.
3.
Reduce
steam
pressure
in
the
steam
accumulator to atmospheric pressure.
4.
Open
the
retraction-engine
accumulator
blowdown valve.
5.
Station a safety person at the ICCS, CCP, main
control console and deckedge control manning
sound-powered
telephones
to
prevent
tampering with catapult controls.
6.
Station a safety person at the retraction engine
and
the
water-brake
tank,
manning
sound-powered telephones.
7.
Tag the steam-smothering valve "out of
service."
8.
Station a safety person on the flight deck (in the
shuttle area) to prevent accidental movement of
the
shuttle
while
personnel
are
in
the
water-brake tank.
The preceding safety instructions must be strictly
followed. Under any conditions when inspection of the
water brakes area is undertaken, it is imperative that the
control system remain in a SAFE position (exhaust
valve open, grab aft).
Malfunctions
This section provides operating personnel with a
guide to assist in isolating and correcting causes of
malfunctions.
During
aircraft
launch
operations,
malfunctions may occur that can be rapidly corrected if
the cause is correctly determined. In other cases,
corrective action may require extensive repairs, and it is
important that operating personnel rapidly isolate the
cause of the malfunction in order to inform the catapult
officer if the catapult must be placed out of service.
When a malfunction occurs, the catapult must be
put in a SAFE condition before corrective action is
attempted, to prevent accidental launching of aircraft or
injury to personnel.
To property correct any malfunction(s) all primary
causes should be checked first to quickly isolate the
malfunction to a specific system. The secondary causes
can then be checked to determine which component(s)
within the system caused the malfunction.
All preoperational and post operational inspection
procedures that apply to a specific system or station of
the catapult are to be conducted and completed by the
person or persons assigned the duty. For detailed
inspection procedures, the ABE must consult the
applicable MRCs or technical manuals.
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