during
the
preliminary
functional
tests.
All
malfunctions must be reported to the maintenance
officer, catapult officer, or catapult captain.
INTEGRATED CATAPULT CONTROL
STATION (ICCS) NO-LOAD LAUNCHING
PROCEDURES
No-load
launches
are
conducted
during
the
accomplishment of the preoperational MRCs. No-load
launches may also be required for post maintenance
catapult checkout.
WARNING
NO-load tests shall be conducted under the
supervision of a qualified launching officer. To
prevent injury to personnel, safety lines shall
be rigged along the deck inboard of the catapult
and safety personnel shall be stationed in the
catwalk to keep unauthorized personnel clear
of the catapult area.
Perform the following steps for no-load test launchings:
1.
With the catapult track clear, the safety
observer signals the monitor operator to
retract.
2.
With the grab and shuttle in battery position,
the safety observer signals the monitor to
maneuver forward a sufficient distance to
allow grab/shuttle separation (one to two feet is
adequate).
3.
With a crewmember manually releasing the
grab latch, the safety observer signals the
monitor operator to maneuver the grab to the
fully aft position.
4.
The charging panel operator closes the fluid
supply valve to the bridle tensioner pressure
regulator and blows off the air pressure in the
dome of the bridle tensioner regulator, surge
accumulator, and from the dome of the internal
tensioning pressure regulator.
5.
The launching officer shall set the CSV
command setting to the required value and
ensure that the CSV is confirmed and that the
CSV match lights come on.
6.
The charging panel operator shall ensure that
the CSV command setting is in the no-load
range, and if in agreement with the command
setting, depresses the set pushbutton, and
ensures
that
command,
position,
and
mechanical
counter
all
match.
If
in
disagreement with the command setting, the
charging panel operator shall not depress the
set pushbutton until the setting discrepancy is
resolved.
7.
The launching officer notifies pri-fly to make a
5MC warning announcement of the impending
no load launches.
8.
The launching officer depresses the bridle
tensioning pushbutton, military power, and
final ready pushbuttons.
9.
The safety observer shall ensure that the
catapult track is clear and all safety personnel
are indicating thumbs up and signal the
launching officer to fire the catapult.
10.
The launching officer shall check for a clear
launching area and depress the fire pushbutton.
11.
Repeat the above procedures if necessary for
subsequent no loads.
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.
1.
Before aircraft tension, the topside safety petty
officer performs the following:
1) Ensures
that
appropriate
jet
blast
deflectors are raised.
2) Supervises the attachment of the holdback
to aircraft.
3) Checks the catapult area forward.
4) Gives the tension signal to the director.
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