figure 2-14. The arresting gear is composed of an
extendible hook and the mechanical, hydraulic, and
pneumatic equipment necessary for hook operation.
The arresting hook on most aircraft is mechanically
released, pneumatically lowered, and hydraulically
raised.
The hook is hinged from the structure under the
rear of the aircraft. A snubber, which meters hydraulic
fluid and works in conjunction with nitrogen pressure,
is used to hold the hook down to prevent it from
bouncing when it strikes the carrier deck.
Catapult Equipment
Carrier aircraft are equipped with facilities for
catapulting the aircraft off the aircraft carrier. This
equipment consists of nose-toe launch equipment. The
older aircraft have hooks that are designed to
accommodate the cable bridle, which is used to hook
the aircraft to the ship's catapult. The holdback
assembly allows the aircraft to be secured to the carrier
deck for full-power turnup of the engine prior to
Figure 2-14.--Arresting gear installation.
takeoff. The holdback tension bar separates when the
catapult is fired and allows the aircraft to be launched
with the engine at full power.
Arresting Gear
For nose gear equipment, a track is attached to the
A carrier aircraft is equipped with an arresting hook
deck to guide the nosewheel into position. See figure
for stopping the aircraft when it lands on the carrier. See
2-15. The track also has provisions for attaching the
Figure 2-15.--Nose gear launch equipment.
2-14
