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by kuyakev on February 21st, 2007

kuyakev

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Why don't navy pilots "flare" when landing on an aircraft carrier?

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  • by SilverCatofBast on February 21st, 2007

    SilverCatofBast

    Question is "why don't" - I'll assume you used the correct grammar.
    Fact is, the tail hook and wires are plenty to stop the jets. However, if they SKIP a wire, or one of the wires is faulty, then no matter how slow they're going, they will be swimming.
    All carrier landings have to be done at a speed high enough to take off and circle round for another try, just in case.

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  • by mendicant on February 21st, 2007

    mendicant

    Two reasons that I would guess. First off, the flaring will give a much needed decrease in speed due to the fact that the aircraft is in a less aerodynamic pose in relation to how it is moving.

    Also, it helps get their tail/gear down in order for the trap to catch them and keep them from going off the other end.

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  • by Pointeman1 on March 14th, 2007

    Pointeman1

    Flaring risks clipping the end of the deck with your landing gear or some other structural part of the aircraft. By using a straight angle without any flare the pilot can now better aim the aircraft to catch one of the 4 arrestor cables strung out across the end of the deck. Flaring would decrease the pilot's probably of snagging one of the cables thereby resulting in a "bolter" which is.. not catching the cable with your hook and having to go around and try it again.

    The no-flare landing is necessary for CTOL (conventional take-off & landing) carrier operations.

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  • by VivaNOLA on February 21st, 2007

    VivaNOLA

    To reduce airspeed - also optimizes position of arrestor hook.

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  • by John_R6962 on December 31st, 2010

    John_R6962

    the idea of a carrier landing is more of a controlled collision with the deck
    if your nose is rising when the hook is caught, the front gear will come slapping down to the deck
    see:
    www.digijohnny.com/MAF18CQ

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