See How SKETCHY Parking This Jet Can Get

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Welcome aboard an EA-18G Growler recovery and sketchy taxi aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in the Arabian Gulf.
On the flight deck, directors and pilots work closely together to carefully taxi 70+ million dollar aircraft inches from the edge of the flight deck. The nose gear of the Super Hornet is slightly behind the pilot, so, when taxiing near the edge of the flight deck, the pilot's feet can actually lie over the water when the the aircraft is in a turn.
Thanks for watching. Fly Navy!
If you like the video, please like, subscribe, and turn on notifications - I appreciate it! If we get enough support, we can keep this channel going.
Chapters:
0:00 Wake Up!
1:35 The Start
1:54 Trap!
3:55 Conga Line Bow Turnaround
6:30 Nervous Fantail Taxi
#ASMR #relaxationmeditation #flightdeckoperations #usnavy #f18 #superhornet #flynavy #avgeek #naswi #flightdeck #navy #growler #theodoreroosevelt #topgun #navalaviation #aviation #aviationworld #aviationlovers #fighterjet #trending #goshawk #cockpitview #navy_motivational_video #cockpitviews #dcs #dcsworld

[@IllegalAlienRacing]

The narration makes all the difference in the enjoyability of the video. It's like hearing a song being sung acoustically vs. having a whole band behind you, it's just better that way.

[@GrowlerJams]

Well said.

[@BostonBuzz]

Oh dam IAR, he spoke to you!! Lol!

[@makantahi3731]

in my country , people that talk like they sing , we call singers

[@russ8211]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing that. I’ve taxied into some tight spots, but never like that!

[@hensola]

Soothing voice like Bob Ross

[@thatpointinlife]

"Anybody got the number for that truck driving school?" 😅 Classic!

[@OFFGRID_Trucker]

They all OVERCHARGE.. I can teach most anyone. Not that anyone is asking.. But I started my "heavy duty" career in the US Army. Ft. Riley 2-63rd Armor. M60A1 Tanker. 19E then got into trucking and a few years of operating equipment too.

[@nomar5spaulding]

​@@OFFGRID_Trucker I can tell you one that doesn't over charge.

[@wauzers]

My trainer in cdl school also was a flight instructor. Lol

[@danieldbeavers]

Truck Master I think it is. Might need that.

[@willhicks2259]

Sorry, You're not qualified 😅

[@georgeyoung1810]

Most people have no idea how nerve racking just taxiing around the flight deck is. You folks are serious rock stars!!

[@steviesteve750]

Imagine one of the flight directors momentarily got his left and right mixed up!

[@a64738]

It looked horribly scary to me... One little mistake and ...

[@Nicholas.Homeless]

It’s ‘racking’ - Nerve Racking. That’s all I got, 😂

[@georgeyoung1810]

@@Nicholas.Homeless thanks for the correction. I learn something new every day

[@zk9058]

And those firefighters in their spacesuits!😂😂

[@HoldThePickles]

“Little signature move, no big deal” 😂😂 More voiceovers please. This is next level bro!

[@matthewcoleman1919]

Distinct paucity of signature moves whilst taxiing. Almost like that's the hardest part!

[@BostonBuzz]

Ha!!!! This is soooo beyond next level!!!! Absolute solid gold content!!!!!!!!

[@airmike1271]

I was on that very ship in ‘97 with VFA-37 Bulls. Where they parked the Growler is where they used to park the Tomcats back in the days. That voiceover was epic. Thank you, shipmates for your sacrifice.

[@GrowlerJams]

Thank you for your service as well.

[@sb859]

As an Air Force guy, I was lucky enough to spend a week on the mighty TR back in Aug 2001. Right before the world changed. I got two Traps and a Cat Shot. What a ride. Deck operations is the most dangerous work environment I have ever seen...and that was in the Day time!

[@richardracine9055]

The taxi close to the edge on a dark night is the worst. That is why you stay completely strapped in with the ejection seat armed. I am damn proud of these wonderful men and women. And very grateful for their service, many times in very demanding conditions.

[@OFFGRID_Trucker]

Huh.. I understand keeping strapped in, but why would they wire up the seat to be able to disarm it..?

[@Glee73]

the seat is armed, means you can eject at any time if something goes wrong. only once the plane is chocked and chained, and the pilot is preparing to get out of the cockpit, is the seat disarmed because its potentially dangerous to try and climb out with an armed seat.@@OFFGRID_Trucker

[@DieyoungDiefast]

@@OFFGRID_Trucker They're not wired to be able to disarm the seat. Prior to climbing out a crewman will insert a pin with a 'Remove before flight' tag on it which safes the seat so that the pilot can't accidentally trigger the seat. Same as the 'Red shirts' inserting similar pins into the missiles and weapon mounts to safe all the weapons.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

@@DieyoungDiefastIf I recall correctly there’s three such pins.

[@FS2K4Pilot]

@@OFFGRID_TruckerAn armed ejection seat is good IF you’re properly strapped in, but have you ever seen what happens when one goes off when the person is NOT strapped in, or is simply leaning over it when it accidentally fires? Yeah, not good. You go anywhere near the cockpit and ejection seat, you check and make sure the safety pins (plural) are in.

[@seventhsealhere]

Hope a feeling to sneeze never comes as you park near the edge of the ship! 👍🇺🇸

[@garyowen9044]

These are so much fun! Love that you narrate, and don’t have music blaring. Don’t change a thing.

[@timothyreichel8097]

Outstanding voice-over. I sleep safely knowing you are 'in the air.' Also, the ground crew are pivotal to your success.

[@lindaa9005]

parking that near the edge on a calm day was scary enough, I can't even begin to imagine what that would be like in a real combat situation or in really rough weather. It's impressive enough as it is, I never imagined there were so many hand=offs to follow on deck after the landing, thank you, that was really so well done

[@GrowlerJams]

Thanks!

[@justincox225]

Watching these vids has me amazed at the complexity of coordination and management that has to go into running operations on the deck. Really makes me curious how crazy that setting would get in a true combat situation or even (god forbid) while under fire.

[@michaelmappin4425]

​@@justincox225The exact same. We train like we fight.

[@dougbourdo2589]

A Thousand feet of flight deck needs all of those hand-offs. And, as others have said, the narration is killer.

[@teresahixson8716]

Holy bat crap, Pail !! I thought the landing was scary enough but when you got that thing over the edge, I squealed a lil. Not gonna lie. You're the best, my friend !! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻 🇺🇲❤️🇺🇲. Fly Navy 💫

[@conradtoles6718]

So cool to see this from the pilots perspective. I was a troubleshooter/final checker in the 90s and only ever saw this from the flight deck. Thanks for the content.

[@GrowlerJams]

You bet!

[@dasboat64]

Did the exact same job mid to late 80's. One of the most dangerous jobs on the planet--- working & flying on/off a carrier at sea. I always liked it best at night in darkness. Orchestrated, controlled chaos! Love it, miss it. You all stay safe!

[@jamesmcbride7594]

My pops was WW II bomber pilot. No comparison, but I can't get enuf

[@airtabvortexgenerators4449]

Ex RCAF fighter pilot. Always wanted to fly off carriers because that is the ultimate, the pinnacle of aviation in my opinion. Love your videos and your excellent "golf tournament announcer" voice and the signature moves! Thank you for your service. Wish I could be on board with you.

[@tinman3505]

Yeah that will never ever happen in Canada. Don't have Aircraft carries only itty bitty little boats. that Canada won't hesitate to deploy all 3 of them if need be.

[@frankpinmtl]

Bagotville? Out west?

[@goodbyemr.anderson5065]

@@tinman3505 haha FU

[@deanf7086]

Hmm… Is Bob Ross is still alive?

[@frankpinmtl]

@@deanf7086 I think he passed...but his style lives on

[@daffidavit]

As soon as I heard the very long "uuughhh" I knew it was the number four wire, even before you said it. Thank you again.

[@GrowlerJams]

Shame.

[@mallinois4978]

4 is only one away from 3 and they all work just fine .

[@daffidavit]

@@mallinois4978 Yeah, but the guy who gets the most number 3 wires wins the Kewpie doll, or as Pail says "the beer". Question: Is the no. 4 wire set to stop the jet quicker because it's closer to the end of the ship, or are all cables set for the same weight for a specific aircraft? Thanks in advance.

[@yanniskouretas8688]

The level of trust that only within the military community can be grown .....

[@johnhicks7057]

😮😮😮Woah Nellie. THAT was nerve racking. And such a responsibility for the directors to keep you out of the ocean. Thank you so much for the video for your service. 👏👏

[@acwolf65]

Without a doubt the best documentary on the flight deck ops I’ve seen.

[@ahdoeknogh]

At 2:58 you can hear the other F-18 landing on the ship. This is so coordinated and such clear communication. I love it. You've got to have trust, though. Geez!

[@lavejim11]

Thanks Pail for another great video. As always, we thank you for your service. Fly Navy!!

[@marcabshire4792]

The trust between pilots and deck crew is strong. Keep up the great work.

[@BrazenNL]

One of the very few creators I confidently updoot before even watching the video (so I don't forget).

[@sweb4614]

Thank you for another great narrated video! You must have been the last plane on the deck. A fantail taxi at night must be really scary. Keep up the great posts.

[@Ben..E]

Maybe the second to last on deck, there was that flyover by the next one in the pattern.

[@drewrub7415]

Man the absolute coordination between all of you to maneuver those birds in such a limited area. As Darth Vader would say, Most Impressive. Thanks again for another amazing VO

[@mezcalineboy]

this is so relaxing, you are the bob ross of fighter aircrafts

[@GrowlerJams]

😎

[@mrjaycam18]

This analogy is so accurate

[@user-rp5vx2pb9i]

@@mrjaycam18 Very much so!

[@RickDorion]

Thank you, Pail, for another superb voice over. And thank you for your service!

[@makingbiscuits24-7]

The director standing so close to the edge must have nerves of steel. I'm afraid I would get so focused on directing traffic that I would forget to watch where I was going, especially when it's windy and/or raining. Kudos to all of the crew.

[@johningram9081]

The skil of Naval aviator is unmatched . Oh by the way my son is a E-8 stationed Norfolk. Great video

[@TheRealCFF]

I love the colorful terminology in naval aviation eg 'conga line', 'Mom', the Six Pack, the Junk Yard, Bomb Farm, etc.

[@CharlesLambert137]

That. Was. Awesome. So much respect for you talented aviators!

[@flyingdutchmanindustries5877]

THANKYOU for not putting annoying music in your vid. ;)

[@darrenmarney8577]

It's totally awesome that you recorded all of this amazing footage Sir Pail 👌 I never realised the complexity of aircraft carrier operations 👍

[@crashburn3292]

You know, you're undermining the argument that "landing on an aircraft carrier is one of the most difficult things a person can do" when you continually make it look that easy in these videos.. 😄 It's so very cool to be able to watch this.

[@kenhanson4015]

Wow, just WOW! What a spectacular video! I have never been in a fighter jet on a carrier until now. This makes my heart swell with pride seeing how our fighting forces go about their routines in such a relaxed and confident manner. You make this look so easy when we know it's not. The years of behind the scenes training it takes to do this would never be known if it wasn't for KZbin and channels like this giving us landlubbers a peek into a world we will never set foot into.Growler Jams has just shot into my all time favorites list along with cat videos. GO NAVY!

[@GrowlerJams]

Welcome aboard.

[@dfiegel421]

Holy ship! Its like sitting inside your head and hearing/feeling your every thought. What a trip!!!

[@DaleSheehy]

The coordination and choreography is amazing!

[@charlesvlasin7017]

Thanks for the video Pail. Spent most of my career in ops on aircraft carriers and was aircrew in S-3 Vikings. Love seeing the well oiled machine of a flight deck. Fair winds and following seas!

[@pla4d]

That's incredible skill Pail, I was a little nervous, as you turned at the back of the ship. Well done, awesome video.

[@edfederoff2679]

I'm awake now! LOL Wiggling fingers and toes... Watching that bow approach as the 4 wire spooled out was a sphincter-tightening moment - more so to me than the taxiing - LOL.

[@6thdayblue59]

Anyone else watching that landing and thinking “If the Wright Brothers only knew what Aviation would become”……. Love Growler and peace, love, reality to all x

[@alanbare8319]

Awesome video! Your voiceovers fill in the blanks about what happens when flying around and maneuvering on the carrier.

[@PlymouthVT]

I love the flight deck directions you explain. So much going on don't know how you guys do it. Quite a symphony! As always subbed & upped!

[@avidnova]

Pail, great job once more. Thanks for putting us right there, in the cockpit. I absolutely love your Voice-overs. Thank you for all your service. 🇺🇸 I'm definitely buying you a couple of beers. Fly Navy.

[@GrowlerJams]

I appreciate it, Rick.

[@bill8985]

"anybody got the number of the truck driver school?" yeeaaahhh. You got it good.

[@GrowlerJams]

😎

[@matthewowens6550]

Hearing what you and the ground crew are doing helps a lot so we are not just watching but understanding and learning. Thank you Sir for all you do.

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@UKAviationMovies]

Absolutely incredible. I do not know how you guys do this, but it's mighty impressive. Great video, loved the commentary 🤙

[@jeff9104]

Great stuff, keep them coming !

[@gerryg1056]

Trust and skill, skill and trust. The temptation to look at where you think you should be going, and not where the director knows you should be going must be overwhelming. My only experience of something similar was seeing trucks being loaded onto a stern only loading ferry in Italy. The deck crew knew exactly what they were doing, but first time drivers who kept checking their mirrors got a whistle blown at them, but if they kept doing it the greatest ignominy was to have the deck crew jump on the step and steer the truck themselves. I'd like to see one of your deck crew do the same!

[@robertconville6269]

These aviators are on a different level! Semper Fi Sir!

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@troyledbetter6597]

Absolutely loved you talking us through the landing and taxiing sequence!

[@Q1776Q]

Fantastic!!!

[@peteschiavoni]

That’s so wild how tight it is on deck. Pail, what do you find the most sphincter tightening part of flying,taxiing, or just being on a carrier? Thanks for sharing!! Fly Navy!!!

[@GrowlerJams]

Night landings for sure...or landings in generally poor weather. Gets sketchy.

[@mikeratcliff1446]

Wow. That’s amazing. Perfection at its best. Thank you for you service.

[@1949carlton]

You guys ROCK! Thanks for what you do..

[@jmedlin6]

Look forward to the weekly jams. When are we going to see signature moves in a Goshawk? Lol

[@GrowlerJams]

I’ll let you know as soon as I know. Hopefully soon.

[@ericwilliams2517]

Thanks for your service!!!

[@LightFairy_Munich]

You are like Bob Ross of naval aviation lol so soothing ❤

[@km6341]

Absolutely loved that! Thank you!

[@gkoproske]

This stuff is incredible. Has me on the edge of my seat and loving every minute of it.

[@Sarge714]

You have such good commentary skills. As a civilian Flight Instructor I so appreciate it. This is how I wish I sounded when giving a flight lesson or ground school. Thank You!!

[@StrIIker-TV]

Awesome video! Loved the lead in. As always, watching you fly the landing pattern to a successful trap is a pleasure to see and best of all, to hear you describe what's happening. Don't ever stop sharing with us, all that you are doing while maneuvering because that's the gravy on these videos. Can't wait for the next one! Keep them coming!

[@alexcurtis6579]

“No big deal” Thanks again. These are a blast to watch.

[@robertream2723]

Well done once again Commander. It is amazing, even being a big boy with cool toys, how Mom is always a very important individual. She is, and always will be a rock, or in this case, a huge piece of American steel. Thanks again for your service. Drinks are on me. Keep on Jammin' down the highway, or should I say, the flight deck.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@P3cNavyBrat]

That bow turn at the end, had me holding my breath

[@GrowlerJams]

Me too!

[@statikcitten9]

There were several moments that made me hold my breath, and I just love how confident I feel that I too could land on a carrier after he talks me through it!

[@robinkyrke]

I am absolutely loving your videos! I have been "flying" F/A-18s in DCS for a few years now with a group of friends and your videos have given me a much needed dose of reality to the seriousness of carrier operations! Keep up the good work. Fly Navy!

[@glennaycock9445]

That was another great video. My dad watched that with me he's a former f 8 pilot. He said that could get very nerve-racking at times. Your videos make him feel like he's back in the seat. Thanks for what you do, fly navy!!!!!!

[@GrowlerJams]

Fly Navy!!

[@cattnipp]

That disarm procedure is cool.

[@Paulschultz-ny6hz]

Thank you for your service, I was in the Viet Nam era Navy pilots do a fantastic job God bless you.

[@dandy87]

Awesome vid Pail! I am in awe of you! God keep his face to shine on you!

[@KEALOHA669]

These are so much fun! “Little signature move, no big deal” The narration makes all the difference in the enjoyability of the video. This is so coordinated and such clear communication.

[@joedonahue30]

These videos are amazing! Total Respect!!!

[@GrowlerJams]

I appreciate that!

[@mykey39]

Loving the calm commentary. Keep them coming!

[@Francesc2000]

Your narration was superb, and really informative yet fun. Thanks for your service.

[@GrowlerJams]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MinhTran-fc7jl]

china is copying it.

[@tedmabey1852]

As always, I enjoyed the ride along!

[@adamschorn4258]

You all make it look easy! Keep the great videos coming.

[@PacificAirPhoto1]

Just a fan-tail-tastic vid, Pail! This private pilot has the utmost respect for your skills and expertise, and much gratitude for how you share them - Go Navy! Cheers from 🇨🇦 ❤️

[@GrowlerJams]

Thanks, Leighton. Cheers!

[@ronaldbarrett3112]

Fantastic word-through this ops. As a ret USAF RNB, I often wanted to fly in my decades of flight...on trap! Great info for all of us lov'n aviation. Thanks.

[@mehmoodnadeem5594]

Very nicely explained.

[@harnellholliman4265]

Gosh dang, keep those videos coming! Mesmerizing!

[@edmundgonzalez8731]

You guys make it look so easy and effortless, it's sometimes hard to keep in mind just how dangerous this is. Be safe out there, all of you...

[@pablotoscaniniwrc]

That was a nice deck tour!

[@nypdbob]

Thank you

[@pigmoonk2545]

What a tour of the deck ! Amazing!

[@brucejohnson3351]

Great Video ! Somethings never change,wind waves,yellow shirts. I was a Brown shirt. When not flying, chains, wing struts, tie-down on the fan tail, talk to pilot about the a/c . "fly navy"...😊

[@randywunderlich6315]

My hero!!!! You guys are great !!!! 🇺🇸

[@edmeier2030]

Thanks for sharing these. They are fun and fascinating.

[@kevinwaters-marsh217]

Man i felt nervous watching you taxi so close to edge... nerves of steel. So grateful for our men and women in the services... thank you for your protection

[@alexgolovchenko3791]

Man, the skill and talent of all involved amazes me! It must be like landing on a popsicle stick at 180 knots in the middle of nowhere! Really amazing! 😎✈

[@wheelspinner20]

Great work!

[@michaelhurst506]

Love the accurate, continuous description of action and rationale! Makes for a very "real" observational experience. Thanks!

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@binjuice59]

Great commentary "Pail" thank you 👍

[@hittpitch1019]

Man, this was really entertaining and well done! Thanks, G.

[@memmu2913]

You always make me smile so sweet and genuinely in this jam 💕 💖 💖

[@mikestafford2792]

Looks like great fun you have flying a fighter jet. Also the amount of personnel on a active flight deck is astonishing. You are all true professionals. Thanks for serving.

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@wmrayburn7620]

Thanks for an absolutely great and educational video. From my perspective as a small plane private pilot, I find this so very humbling and yet inspiring at the same time

[@GrowlerJams]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Daniel-yf9iy]

Loved the voiceover! My late father was a Marine Aviator.

[@Longbow123]

What a star, Thank you for taking us on each fantastic journey/Misson 👍

[@tonyascaso6254]

Beautiful work!

[@ibrahimf.1619]

Wow..seen many aviation videos, military and commercial. But this one was unique..thanks 👌

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@donp1088]

This video you’ve made gives all viewers an opportunity to see and experience what you just did, and your verbal descriptions make it ‘feel’ as if we are seated right behind you. Awesome,…great job. Thank you!🫡