PBS: Carrier – Landing on a Pitching Deck Pt. 2
From the PBS documentary series “Carrier” – Rites of Passage. Navy pilots landing aboard the USS Nimitz during rough seas in the Pacific, Part 2. Enjoy! … carrier landing navy pilot F-18 pitching deck night PBS hornet F18 superhornet USS Nimitz aircraft fighter
obtw i just uploaded some oboat crash video fm howdy, RF-8 barricade & St Price ramp strike, check it out
the US Army might take you, try to get into Army aviation, then attempt an interservice transfer, might take a couple years
FATKNOTT ! thanks for saving my life once for sure & a couple maybe’s
Awesome! Completely absorbed by this naval aviators performance. Excellent job!
wow, amazing. thanks.
You know why CDR Fravour is so good…PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
I have no skipper qualifications, but I think all 12 should be up there every night. It’s a calculated risk and a valuable investment.
Impressive one time approach and trap by CMDR David “sex” Fravor… I couldn’t imagine landing on a moving + pitching + minimal light object….
Leading by example. Sheer competency and skill sets displayed by CDR Fravour is most memorable. He made it look so easy. One cool cat. Great documentary all around.
I have this whole series but this episode was my favourite! Naval Aviation at it’s finest – as stated below, this is what sets it apart from the rest.
And hat’s off to CDR Fravour, thats what leaders do – stepping up and putting the experience where it’s needed, Dietrich will get her chance eventually.
Being a CAG LSO on a 27C carrier with F-8’s, A-3’s etc., this brings back many memories. Wonder who gave the launch order?
shoulda left her in, the guys were doin pretty bad.
LSO’s fm the 60s & 70s would be laffin at this, waving F-8s & A-5s & 27Charlie stuff.
Tankerrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is what has always set Naval Aviators apart from all the rest.
i remember those pitching decks everyone top side used to be nervous hoping not to have a misshap one time we were standing on the bow when a f-18 from VFA-131 hit hard and the right gear broke the sidewinder draged on the deck but no bad misshap all were safe
sure brings back memories of my time in the gulf. I was in Va-94 from Jan.1st,1989 until it became VFA-94, and did 2 cruises as a plane captain, one on the Enterprise, the other on the USS Lincoln. Remember night ops well!
Because many of these pilots are new to landing on pitching decks.
no it was the CO of the fighter squadron.
he’s the CAG
Oops sorry was going to call him skipper but thought that was too informal (for us civies). Is it normal for the Skipper to fly or was he looking out?
CDR David Fravor, VFA 41 Commanding Officer — rather ’skipper’ than ‘chief’ ; )
Who took the flight for the female officer? Was he the chief fighter pilot?
Sorry, no
1st DTS was Destroyer & submarine piers Norfolk, VA
2nd was Bath, Maine,
3rd was Charleston, SC.
Ditto, GlassOnion (Don). Hey man… USS Elmer Montgomery FF-1082 (1991-1992)
NS Mayport?
Thanks guys for all you do!
Don
USN ATL Fleet
USS Aylwin DE-1081
1971 – 1975
When I flew for the Navy other than center line there was no deck lighting. Landing on Black Deck Ships you couldn’t see the deck until after you got out of the aircraft. (A-4s on the Forrestal 1967-68)
The only part of working nights on the flight deck I enjoyed, was not being able to see the horizon so I could not tell how much the ship was rolling. You could feel it but on an overcast or moonless night it is one eerie feeling. VF143 1979-84 CVN69 good memories of some really rough times.