Carrier Qualification

On Tuesday I'm going to land a jet on the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) ... this is not the Bush:


I'm sorry that I haven't updated this in a while. After I found out that I'm going Hawkeyes, everything got pretty busy. I was immediately put into the class that was working up to Carrier Qual. on the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77).

I've done about a hundred practice landings since then and passed all the necessary check-rides.

I'm flying out (commerical) early tomorrow morning to Jacksonville, FL. The next day I will get into my jet, by myself, strap in, start it up, take off and join up in a flight of 3 jets heading out to "The Boat." I'll fly over the top of the ship, break like normal, drop my gear and flaps and execute what will hopefully be an "OK" pass, the first of about 14 practice landings. 10 of those will be with my tailhook down and I will "trap" on the boat or catch one of the 3 arresting wires strung across the deck. After coming to a sudden stop (120kts to 0 in 2 seconds), I'll either get some fuel or taxi straight to the catapult where I'll be launched into the air at a rate of again, 120kts in 2 seconds.

After I'm finished for the day, I'll fly the 80-120 miles back to the beach, grab some dinner, get some sleep and do it again. I'll be back Friday night.