Since an aircraft carrier sails into the wind during take-off and landing operations, there must be a terrific amount of turbulence immediately behind the ship.
My question is: How does a pilot making an approach on an aircraft carrier counter the turbulence and does the ship perform any manoeuvers to reduce turbulence.
2006-08-23 10:53:39 · 4 answers · asked by checkmate444 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The aircraft approaching from behind the carrier are doing so at a high angle of descent, from an angle to the side of the ship. Unlike carriers of WWII, modern carriers have an "angle deck" on which they retrieve aircraft. This results in any bolters (aircraft that miss the arresting gear) to be headed OFF the ship in a direction that will prevent the ship from running it over should it go into the water.
Air turbulence, such as that behind a carrier or off the wing tips of large aircraft, sink. In a no wind situation, the vortices off the wingtips of a large jet sink at approx 500 feet per minute and because of their rolling action, spread away from the point of origin. While the turbulence behind a carrier is not the same as a wing tip vortex it is a swirling mass of air that will sink.
Because the turbulent air is sinking, the approaching aircraft is coming from an angle and at a high angle of descent (not to mention a pretty good speed), the turbulence is not a factor.
Now if the ocean SWELLS are large enough, as in a storm, the deck will be rising and falling and THAT can be a problem though modern equipment has made it a lot easier than in days of old.
2006-08-23 11:03:35 · answer #1 · answered by StaffSergeant C 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Since the deck is a clear open space and the Island is off to the side, turbulance is not much of a issue. The ship stays on a steady course. Any turns would make a approach impossible for the plane to adjust for. Now a pitching deck, is a real kettle of fish.
2006-08-23 11:16:28 · answer #2 · answered by lana_sands 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They would lower their flaps which allow the plane to go extremely slow but stay in the air. Also our jets are very powerful and can stay in the air in that kind of situation.
2006-08-23 13:15:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
my guess is to increase power or to drop power and drop out of it in smoother air or if they can not do either just ride it out or stick the rough landing.
2006-08-23 11:01:48 · answer #4 · answered by Paul G 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋