Classic British Flight Sim

Forth,

I think that's my problem, I really can't understand how the decision was made without some really mature/responsible people being really childish, although the current procurement process may have forced them into it. It'll be a miracle if we ever get F Lynx....

I've just thought of something ...

Seriuosly, regardless of what equipment the Navy get - how are they going to train to land on a carrier? Surely it's too risky to practice carrier ops initially with front-line A/C?


There must be night and day between an arrested landing and putting a Harrier down on deck?

How about a few T-45 (UK)?

At the risk of sounding a grumpy bugger, whats the betting that within 5 years of them being launched, both are only carrying helicopters and Marines, and Ocean, Bulwark and Albion are laid up in the Tamar. Some Admiral will be on the telly, desperately trying to be 'on message' and enthusing that despite the fact we couldn't afford the JSF, this is a vital and exciting role for the ships and we can now project power anywhere in the world thats 5 miles from the coast. ( Like, not Afghanistan ).

I just know its going to happen. :roll:

There's literally night and day between landing any aircraft on deck during daylight and night time.. as ridiculous as that sounds be it a helicopter, Harrier or fixed wing.

There used to be an arrestor wire at Yeovilton for Sea Vixens to practice deck landings but I understand it wasn't up to taking Phantoms so it wouldn't be impossible to sort something out for the JSF should it be necessary. Like everything.. you can practice as many times as you like but the time comes when you have to do it for real and that's when you earn your money ;-)

ATB

DaveB :tab:

DaveB wrote:There's literally night and day between landing any aircraft on deck during daylight and night time.. as ridiculous as that sounds be it a helicopter, Harrier or fixed wing.


ATB

DaveB :tab:

and in that analogy..... there is no room for twilight

No sir.. no twilight whatsoever ;-)

ATB

DaveB :tab:

straight up, mate

As I understand it from the second half of the sixties (at the latest) on your first deck landing in a fast jet would be solo (apart from the observer) in your front line type, we didn't have a training carrier or aircraft. You can practice at an airfield with or without wires, you just fly a carrier approach and slam into the deck, fairly easy to grade whether or not you're in the right place!

Random notes..
I am also one of those that cannot understand the case for Stol. I understand one of the reasons for withdrawing Sea Harrier ultimately was its limited ability to return to carrier with weapons aboard - with thats consequent operational limitations. Anyone heard same? I don't see the major operational advantage of stol that compensates for what appears to be mission limitations.

In the case of carrier training I suppose we would have access to US Navy facilities and carriers for training purposes.Plus we are major backers and customers for the F35 so I suppose that would mean access as well. They do do it don't they - the French Navy did their Raphael build up and validation trials using US Navy Shore and carrier facilities. Mulling things over a bit more I should have thought military Flight Simulation technology was well capable now of taking the Pilot close to the point of his first deck landing?

A friend of mine BTW, had a Scimitar, Sea Vixen, Phantom career and he has always maintained the only thing to be said for night carrier landings was the cloaking darkness - useful for hiding his many knee knockings from those on the deck! Flies a Billionnaire around now.


What do they say. 'By Day we Fly - and go out to Play. By night we also Fly - But Only For Pay!'