Many people, including myself, might have surmised that once pilots reach the fleet the hard work is over, and that they can coast a bit from there. That is about as far from the truth as one can get. Once you check in to your fleet squadron the real work starts. Once you are in the fleet you are expected to perform in every aspect without making mistakes. The pressure is only jacked up once you start flying in the fleet.
Many will hear pilots talking about landings the most when discussing the stress a pilot has to perform under in the fleet. Every landing is graded and scrutinized by the LSO (Landing Signal Officers). As well as the scrutiny received from LSOs, every landing is graded and the grade is put up on the Greenie Board; which is a board in every squadron that displays each pilots grade for a specific landing. Every pilots can see who has the highest landing GPA, and who has the lowest. They also can watch all activity on the fight deck at all time on TVs throughout the ship. All activity on the flight deck is also broad cast on a specific channel that can be displayed on TVs all over the ship.
Pilots are always being watched and scrutinized; even back during World War II pilot's landings were spectator events. There is a catwalk on the island of a carrier facing the flight deck where sailors and pilots can gather and watch the activity on the flight deck. During WW II the sailors would gather on this catwalk to watch the wounded aircraft come in for landing. It made for gripping entertainment because the landings rarely we according to plan if the aircraft had battle damage. Because of this, the catwalk was nicknamed "Vulture's Row" which it still holds today. Along with the stress of landing day or night, bad weather or good, pilots have to face enemy missiles, anti-aircraft fire and fighter aircraft as well.
All of these factors can be encompassed in a single training mission. There is a lot out there that pilots have to worry about, but the quality and consistency of their training is what keeps them confident and alive. Besides, there is an equal amount of fun and excitement involved in fleet aviation. From close formation flying 500ft off the deck, to breaking the sound barrier to dropping bombs or strafing the water, pilots play as hard as they work. There is rarely a dull day for a naval aviator. Every day is a new challenge and a new adventure!
In order from top to bottom: Carrier Landing Power Point by myself, Pictures illustrating landings and the "greenie board" and Pictures illustrating fleet aviation.
Many will hear pilots talking about landings the most when discussing the stress a pilot has to perform under in the fleet. Every landing is graded and scrutinized by the LSO (Landing Signal Officers). As well as the scrutiny received from LSOs, every landing is graded and the grade is put up on the Greenie Board; which is a board in every squadron that displays each pilots grade for a specific landing. Every pilots can see who has the highest landing GPA, and who has the lowest. They also can watch all activity on the fight deck at all time on TVs throughout the ship. All activity on the flight deck is also broad cast on a specific channel that can be displayed on TVs all over the ship.
Pilots are always being watched and scrutinized; even back during World War II pilot's landings were spectator events. There is a catwalk on the island of a carrier facing the flight deck where sailors and pilots can gather and watch the activity on the flight deck. During WW II the sailors would gather on this catwalk to watch the wounded aircraft come in for landing. It made for gripping entertainment because the landings rarely we according to plan if the aircraft had battle damage. Because of this, the catwalk was nicknamed "Vulture's Row" which it still holds today. Along with the stress of landing day or night, bad weather or good, pilots have to face enemy missiles, anti-aircraft fire and fighter aircraft as well.
All of these factors can be encompassed in a single training mission. There is a lot out there that pilots have to worry about, but the quality and consistency of their training is what keeps them confident and alive. Besides, there is an equal amount of fun and excitement involved in fleet aviation. From close formation flying 500ft off the deck, to breaking the sound barrier to dropping bombs or strafing the water, pilots play as hard as they work. There is rarely a dull day for a naval aviator. Every day is a new challenge and a new adventure!
In order from top to bottom: Carrier Landing Power Point by myself, Pictures illustrating landings and the "greenie board" and Pictures illustrating fleet aviation.