A RAW LOOK At Naval Student First Carrier Landings

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Flight School’s Toughest Rite Of Passage: Trap Or Swim
Welcome aboard the LSO platform on the USS George Washington (CVN-73). Today, we are training Naval Flight Students to land on an aircraft carrier for the first time. To pass, students require ten traps, two touch-and-goes, and must meet GPA and boarding rate requirements.
For CQ, we have a whole lot of LSOs on the platform. Both NAS Kingsville and NAS Meridian have students training, so you will see LSOs from the respective student squadrons cycle behind the pickle for their passes.
Naval Flight Students carrier qualify without an instructor in the backseat. This is one of the most stressful but also rewarding evolutions the students will perform. Students are lead overhead the boat by a qualified Lead Safe, then it's over to them to perform. If students disqualify on their first attempt, they will attempt to re-qualify at their next opportunity. Two disqualifications, however, generally results in a platform change for the student.
If you look closely, you can see the ship's one-wire or "ace" was stripped, so Mom only had three wires for CQ.
If you enjoyed this jam, make sure to check out my COD recovery voiceover, where I breakdown LSO duties and responsibilities. It's a quick, two-minute jam that might pique your curiosity. The link is below.
• See How Navy Pilots Gr...
Chapters:
0:00 Hook Up Touch-and-Go
2:05 Hook Up Touch-and-Go
3:20 2-Wire Trap
4:30 Hook Up Touch-and-Go
5:39 Hook Up Touch-and-Go
6:50 2-Wire Trap
8:10 3-Wire Trap
9:58 2-Wire Trap
11:45 T-45 Push-Back
13:13 3-Wire Trap
14:42 Bolter
15:48 3-Wire Trap
17:38 Bolter
19:02 2-Wire Trap
20:34 Wave Off Pattern!
21:40 3-Wire Trap
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[@robertnixon3816]

All the work you put in to this as an instructor is paying off right here! Flight deck ops have got to be near the end of their training and by the looks of these guys your training has been well done! Thanks for sharing this!

[@GrowlerJams]

Much appreciated!

[@kiwidiesel]

Lets not forget the fact that at this point in their flying if they screw the pooch you are not going along for the ride😂

[@uncaringbear]

That sense of elation at passing your carrier qualification must be one of the most rewarding feelings those students will feel in their lifetime!

[@Jyard]

Yes, got part of the quals done, but, it still gets dark out, with not much light on the deck.

[@firefly510]

Yes. Been there, done that - 1966 Lexington

[@Jyard]

Yep, been on the Lexington, probably in 72. Like O’Hare, only props taking off and landing. Fun to watch from up in the island cat walk.

[@pollylewis9611]

This is amazing, it's like we are right on deck watching all the action, I was on edge rooting for the students to get a good trap, Pail thank you for putting so much into this and all your Jams, Polly!

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@Pow3llMorgan]

I love the slight nod of approval from the officer at 3:30. Like he's watching his kid catch a line drive :P

[@GrowlerJams]

Yeah…saw that too.

[@davidwolf226]

Watching these various touch-and-go's with the landings from the LSO deck is just such a cool perspective! Excellent!

[@GrowlerJams]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kindnuguz]

Go Navy Thank you Navy and thank you instructors and most importantly THANK YOU to all that are involved in these operations. I feel like documentation like this is important to show what a day at the "office" is like. I love it

[@michaelnation6335]

Awesome flight deck video Instructor Pail. Love those T45's ... Memories of times long ago. Thank you for being such a rock and inspiration to our new fighter pilots. Please stay safe!

[@GrowlerJams]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GrandMoffJoseph]

What an amazing POV!

[@chriswilson9779]

Amazing work, Brandon! Thanks again for sharing this

[@debcarpenter8519]

I know it's for safety, but I kind of giggled when I saw the carrier was totally vacant except for a couple of other jets. Awesome video!

[@mikestafford2792]

Another awesome video. What a way to spend your days!

[@jasonsong86]

Very cool. I am always fascinated about carrier deck operations.

[@peteschiavoni]

Don’t know how I missed this one! Great footage Pail! Love seeing the future fleet aviators!

[@user-dx9oz7wy7j]

I wish that I was in one of those T-45's! Great video Pail! As always FLY NAVY!⚓✈️⚓

[@garethroberts9223]

Just so good! Really enjoyed watching this!

[@rabidraven0134]

Sounds breezy and looks it. Have a nice day. Stay positive and best wishes to all students.

[@ThankYou-bn6bp]

So proud of these future pilots. I can imagine you standing there feeling both proud and a bit anxious for them lol.

[@mikestone9129]

Another great video. I could watch this all day.

[@mrkc10]

That’s definitely where the rubber meets the road. Awesome video.

[@gcm747]

Can’t wait for the breakdown video. So many questions!

[@ericlietsch994]

For a long time, I was mad at the Navy for not allowing the deaf people in service, As I got older I started to appreciate the wisdom for not allowing the deaf people in service. It's simply a very dangerous job, especially on the deck. I thought my ASL skills would translate into doing the work on the deck. That's not the case, especially on the carrier. The best I can do is to thank all the sailors and the solders for the service and tell them thank you for allowing me to be an American. Thank you for protecting us all.

[@steveanderson9290]

You offered to serve. That's as good as doing it in my book.

[@michmat77]

Love it! God bless them all! 🇺🇸

[@MACE1-1]

Very nice! Thanks for putting this on the channel...!

[@FloridaJack]

That was interesting. Thank You, Sir.

[@dwjr5129]

Thanks to all those willing to risk their lives every day to protect us. No doubt, they are the best among us. Thank you!

[@stephenstange4194]

I loved watching this. Since I know very little about what was going on, I missed your commentary, it is very educational. Still, I loved watching this.

[@JasonBourne1227]

Good fun trying to guess which wire would get caught on each pass. Love this.

[@davidcole333]

There's a great video out there in KZbin land that shows the CQ process in excruciating detail for some C-2A drivers. The stress is through the roof for those young aviators trying to get CQ'd. This was awesome content, really enjoy the perspective of an LSO.

[@alyn7d7]

I’m a Air Force brat I was born and raised in the Air Force tell my dad retired in 1976. I was 16 my dad did maintenance on them airplanes engines and raised me up on them and I always love the military life. Keep these videos go on their great.

[@hobie1827]

Thanks a lot to you and your Crew,with riscing your lifes every day, to keep the free world together. Greets from Germany

[@matthewlatzy4307]

Love the videos, but please add more videos like this. Thank you for your service.

[@jasonkent7273]

i salute you guys that takes so much skill.......i remember vietnam stories about the pilots being more scared of the carrier landing than the anti aircraft weapons

[@corjp]

Wow , Newbees in training... never saw that...Thanks for sharing... me like very much 😊

[@jackjones391]

Again, thank you as always, the view from the deck to the view in the cockpit are fantastic.

[@GrowlerJams]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnherbold5451]

Dang right that is the truth!! Yet we have faith and confidence that those nuggets will learn quickly and learn right as they gain experience.

[@bernardanderson3758]

Growler I love to be aboard watching the T-45 carrier qualifications

[@Vicarium]

I loved being a Shooter for VT carrier quals...an awesome mix of excitement, anxiety, accomplishment, and exhaustion. The dirty shirt was never more fun for me than during those ops.

[@dr.jamesdmartinphd]

When I lived in Pensacola, FL (actually Gulf Breeze, FL) I use to love watching the USS Lexington, when it was used as a trainer, as it head out to the Gulf.

[@nuvostef]

Dang! I miss the Navy SO much! Thanks for the viddy. 😊🤙🏼

[@Trainman-xm3wd]

i was at the airport these aircraft were operating from Cecil Airport. To see the carrier operations that the same aircraft I fueled is really cool.

[@NMskinnyguy]

Glad to see CQ on the T45 is still required to wing. I guess I had been under the impression that with PLM on the F-18 and F-35 that new pilots wouldn't see the boat until the RAG/FRS

[@J0J0Z]

Just amazing dude ! Thank you so much !!

[@steveanderson9290]

Absolutely excellent video. You are filling a huge void documenting the supposedly mundane aspects of flight ops, the very stuff that makes it all possible. Thanks to you and everybody on that deck (and everybody up the chain) that allows you to do this. I am honored to have been a tiny part of that team (back before you were born...lol). Keep 'em comin'! Fly Navy!

[@GrowlerJams]

Fly Navy!

[@kraziivan_]

Dang, I was thinking 14B were the wave off back to shore...but glad they finally got the 3 wire. Awesome footage!

[@Tacticaldave1]

Great video Pail! I'm thinking about becoming a Naval Aviator in retirement. Gonna need some waivers. Could totally hit the three wire every time. You guys are cool!

[@JCrashB]

After my experience of 30 years backing up in my drive I can testify that this isn't an easy task. Hat's off, aviators!

[@dickdaley9059]

Operations on the deck kinda puts everything else in life into perspective. 🇺🇸⚓️

[@andersneiglick6473]

Excellent! 🙂👌

[@brandonsimunac]

Phenomenal content! Thanks Pail!

[@GrowlerJams]

My pleasure!

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

I always thought that the LSO's on the backend had some fun, and it looked like a chat box, until I looked closely, on another channel they weren't chatting at all, but reviewing every step until the landing, extraordinary. I live in Belgium, and we don't have that kind of aviation, so it's always great to see these videos. Because I want to know more about working on a carrier, thank you very much to take your time for this great content. Keep safe and keep up the good work, greetings from Belgium.

[@jeffbrooks8024]

Note…the LSO’s are being assessed too. From my understanding the “LSO” is the guy with “PADDLES” written on his back.

[@paulp1450]

Thank you for your service.

[@clydemurphy2392]

Ahhh yes, another great Pail video to make my 0330 Monday morning coffee tolerable. Thanks for the extra effort that you put into these for us, and as always FLY NAVY!

[@GrowlerJams]

Fly Navy!

[@willdyer3371]

I enjoyed this video. It never ceases to amaze me to watch an aircraft coming to a full stop in less than a football field. Keep these videos coming. And as an added bonus loved seeing future Marine pilots making the traps. Semper Fi!

[@GrowlerJams]

Semper Fi!

[@lucky_one2]

Thanks for the work out there...Fly Navy!

[@iamrichrocker]

Sir..all i can say is thank you..for these great videos..your sense of humor..and of course..your Service to this great Nation..

[@GrowlerJams]

Much appreciated!

[@jaredsterenchock219]

I can literally watch hours of this. It's amazing to just watch the touch and go's to see what wire they'd hit and then to see them in the pattern, and then Land, oh and the launches!!!!!! I feel like a kid!!!! Watched a few times already to see what else I can notice. Thank you!!!!❤❤❤

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@viking-norge115]

A great and marvellous vidéo !!! thanks !!!! 😃😁🤩👋👋👍👍👍👍!!!... take care of you and fly safe ...

[@gregreilly3438]

That was awesome

[@1986.Mattia]

💗 bellissimo ! grazie pail 🤙✈

[@user-sv2nv4no5v]

Would love to see a video from start to finish of selection to training to selection (again) to the T-45 and finally to the grolwer/hornet

[@akiko009]

I love your videos. Just awesome. (And for those not paying attention, the two bolters were by the same guy, and the last trap of the video was him making it.)

[@tiladx]

Not a good way to start your Naval Aviation career.

[@Jimmythefish577]

@@tiladxbut he did it, I’d say fighting through the stress of two missed traps and nailing on the 3rd shows a good strength of character.

[@rickwilliamson9248]

You've got better eyes than I have. I could only make out the number on the one parked closest to the platform.

[@mary_mildred]

One down, nine to go.

[@akiko009]

@@Jimmythefish577 Agreed.

[@macedk]

Thx for these great videos man. Awesome :)

[@showtimemahomesttv6320]

Epic as always.

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@wyliemcmaster4338]

Nice video nice jam

[@flavioferrari-oss8736]

Beleza! Show de arremetidas de caça! Abraços

[@deborahedwards1427]

Thank you all for your service and sacrifice.

[@michaelrice500]

Part of something big; f-ing awesome.

[@martincurran-gray2287]

As a UK citizen, it seems really weird to see “Hawks” on a carrier! Thanks for another cracking video!

[@a320nick]

You answered my question....... are they actually hawks?

[@georgeperalta936]

@@a320nick "Goshawks" Specially modified to be a carrier trainer instead of a land-based one. McDonnell Douglas and BAE teamed up in the 90's to make it. Cool bit of kit!

[@anthonywilson4873]

It’s a Hawk modified for US Trainer work built by Boeing, I first saw a Goshawk at an Oceana air display Norfolk Virginia. Spotted it Hawk shape straight away. Cool air show had a C130 with JATO hostage rescue package. It looked like a space shuttle take off.

[@AIRWARFAREGROUP]

Thanks Pail! ❤ Would love a video on LSO terminology and voice inflections. Perhaps a part two in the series of grading. ~Juice

[@GrowlerJams]

I’ve got another video ready to go that is something like that. I’m not an LSO, so I can’t dig into the nitty gritty, but I do cover grades and communication among the LSOs on the flight deck.

[@PirateMTH_ToddH]

Interesting video. I like the raw but it would be cool to have some of your expert commentary mixed in as well. Like explaining the rotation of LSOs and other tasks being performed. Thanks for sharing. Cool stuff.

[@GrowlerJams]

Stay tuned.

[@ChadGatling]

A couple hours of this would be good background for office work or going to sleep

[@jep1103]

Very interesting

[@RidgeDogRoxx]

You can almost tell by their height over the fantail whether they'll catch a wire or need to bolter. Very interesting stuff - thank you again, Growler Jams!!!

[@GrowlerJams]

Very true!

[@andycannarella]

Love the videos. I know it would be long but I’d love to see one of these videos with a voice over of what everyone is doing and what happened with the misses.

[@jasonstruthers1015]

You earn your pay gentlemen. Thank you for serving our country. You make us PROUD! Aviation enthusiasts sincerely appreciate these videos. Being able to experience a small slice of carrier life is fascinating.

[@jackturner214]

Ah, memories! Thanks for the nostalgia hit, Pail! BZ

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@BigBlackDelta]

thank you for sharing this

[@SpringDivers]

I'll never forget that racket. Four years on the FID.

[@thecatdaddy1974]

Better than whats on TV

[@Tsnor150]

Missed your excellent commentary.

[@scottb721]

APG-65 and 73 tech here. One of my RAAF ENGO mates got to go do carrier work on an exchange. Was very jealous

[@braincraven]

As professional aviator, one never stops learning. Look at all those professional pilots learning to be LSOs. Now back to my WINGS programs.

[@thehunterstruck]

It’s pretty awesome the Navy has their student pilots do some touch and goes on a carrier deck I can’t even imagine the pride the crew feels seeing future pilots do this

[@mmcleod111]

Awesome. Feels like we are right there on the ship

[@timbradley5848]

Great video, lots of 2 wires. Nice to get the coms somehow.

[@aviationrambler]

Mr. 840 has the goofiest of glasses that look straight out of the 80s. Really living up to that Top Gun aura.

[@tyoung7539]

Pit Vipers

[@EdD-ym6le]

That was really cool . T45 is sporty - is it fun to fly . The 3 wire at 16 minutes hook skipped over the 2 I think .

[@markmathews2122]

Have a really good beer...or two. I really enjoy your videos.

[@GrowlerJams]

Thanks, will do!

[@patrickmurphy6911]

Everyday tasks on a US Carrier. So impressive, these people are making extraordinary feat appear normal. God bless them. They are the best of us.

[@TacoMyrick]

I do this everyday....on Oculus VR. Thanks for sharing!

[@BenevolentBees]

This is so freaking cool, thank you for sharing; These men and women are BADASS

[@PlymouthVT]

Great stuff Pail thanks!!

[@GrowlerJams]

My pleasure!

[@EdD-ym6le]

The sparse fight deck felt odd . One day while at Pearl base recycling they sent us to the far side of Ford island because we had a Sea Bee equip oper . We get over there and they have a SLBM hanging from a crane over an Ohio class . I look around and there's small groups of 3 or 4 people - diver dudes , kaki guys , a couple Marines - a dozen ? no more than 20 total people hanging out . I'm thinking I'm as close to the power of Armageddon as I'll ever be and not only isn't there a company of Marines with tanks for security no one seems to care - that felt odd also .

[@Wood-In-My-Eye]

This is so cool! My wife is 3MC on the GW! I remember when you did this. I was the Ombudsman to The Gw! The CPT of the GW. Is one of the best CPT’s I have ever met! The whole triad rock’s actually! Super Cool! Fly Navy!!

[@GrowlerJams]

Fly Navy!

[@forest4283]

Livin the dream.

[@rElliot09]

I was a T-45C IP with TW2, 2010-2013. I miss those days, the 45 was fun to fly, especially at the boat.

[@klatnuveradida5195]

Thanks!

[@GrowlerJams]

Thank you!

[@mikecamrcplus3057]

Whew nice to see the aviator in #148 finally snag a wire at the end. I was getting nervous for them. lol

[@handyman683]

Hawk trainer awesome bit of kit ❤

[@thestrum71]

Could watch this for hours... Just the kind of video most of us wanna see. Real footage!!