Any military pilot can learn to land the fighter when someone is signalling up/down and which way to turn your wing tips.
2007-04-07 06:07:12 · 8 answers · asked by aiminhigh24u2 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
They are called Aircraft Carriers, and they have been around along time.
2007-04-07 06:10:46 · answer #1 · answered by Bill in Kansas 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
On US Carriers, it is an LSO (Landing Signals Officer)... an LDO is a Limited Duty Officer (as opposed to Unrestricted-Line Officer)....
The system that does the visual signaling to the pilot is the "Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System" or "BALL"... it indicates where you are on the glide-slope during approach.
In foul-weather we back it up with CACC (air-traffic control) on approach, and then ILS (Instrument Landing System - SPN-35 Full Automatic Landing Guide System) which actually controls the aircrafts autopilot.
The LSO is aircraft type specific standing on the side of the landing area communicating with the pilot in the LAST seconds making radio calls regarding power and line-up.
And NOT every pilot can land on a carrier... consistently.
2007-04-07 06:33:45 · answer #2 · answered by mariner31 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a set of lights on the stern that guide a pilot down the approach path. Too high or too low and they show differently.
All landings are monitored by Signals Officers who if not happy with the approach will signal for the pilot to go around again.
2007-04-07 11:31:22 · answer #3 · answered by Murray H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LDO? That is an acronym for LIMITED DUTY OFFICER.
You mean LSO (Landing Signal Officer). The LSO IS ALWAYS present during landings. Would YOU want to try to land a plane weighing between 28,000 (empty)and 58,000(fully loaded) pounds on a deck about 1,090 feet by 275 feet(with other planes on one side of you) that is rolling and rocking and tossing, flying at about 130-140 knots without direction in all kinds of weather? Get real. You know nothing civilians like to talk big, but your ignorance of the military is quite obvious.
(USN, retired/ex- USS Nimitz CVN-68 sailor)
2007-04-07 06:27:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Right on OldSalt. Will add one thing....I was just a wonderin' which way to turn my wing tips. Must be something new, never had my tips turn before...not even the winglets...
2007-04-07 06:33:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
old way, using a person with paddles/flags... current way, a system of lights and electronics that indicates to the pilot if he/she is "on the ball"
2007-04-07 06:18:26 · answer #6 · answered by Unforgiven Shadow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haven't you heard of aircraft carriers or radar? They have been around since WWI!
2007-04-07 06:27:55 · answer #7 · answered by awesomenacho 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
see above
2007-04-07 06:20:15 · answer #8 · answered by Rusty Shackleford 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋