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CArrier Landings

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burner12:
Does anybody know the approach sped at what distance along with altitude to approach once you turn on the 90?  I can trap aboard but the meatball is always red which means I 'm always low. I have only gotten a 3 or 4 wire about 3 times since I played the game. I downloaded that TOP GUN Simulations with Dale Snort Snodgrass as the LSO, but still I get the red ball does anyone know what speed and altitude to approach her?

jimi08:
It's all about reading the instruments all the way down.  As a rough reference to Dale's carrier mission, cross the destroyer behind the carrier at about 550-600 ft and lined up on the final approach course.  The ball should give you an "on slope" indication at that point.  Your goal keep the meatball aligned with the datum light. It should look somethig like this:
 
----0----   

Your speed is going to vary with aircraft weight(fuel).  Use your AOA indexer to the left of your HUD to assure you are at the correct speed for your approach.  You are looking to maintain the yellow circle (amber donut) all the way down to touchdown.  If you see the green arrow, then you need to increase your speed (or lower your AOA).  If you see a red arrow, then you need decrease your speed (or increase or AOA).  Be aware though that once you adjust your speed or AOA, you are going to need to re-establish your descent rate to maintain the correct glideslope or else you will start getting "too high" or "too low" indications on the meatball.

If you maintain the correct line-up, glideslope, and speed, you should do fine.  The important thing (and also the hard thing...) is to maintain these three things until touchdown.  With that being said, DO NOT FLARE! once you get over the deck, just hold the aircraft's posture until it whacks the deck.  Consider it more of a "controlled crash" than a landing.  Hope this helps and good luck!

burner12:
maybe this is juts my approach, :-\ But has anybody noticed that when you turn at the 90 the ball always says you're low turning red. And then it goes back to yellow depending on your speed and altitude( I know it's supposed to do that) but whenever I com in with the ball being yellow saying I'm just a tad low I always miss the wires but when it's red I always touchdown.  Maybe it's just my speed and alt at which i come in. But when ever I try keeping the ball yellow I wave off or bolter? ??? ???

jimi08:
In your particular case, it sounds like you are flying through the glide slope.  The illustration should help you visualize whats going on.

Because of your shallow approach angle, a red light will get you on the deck, but you will probably either hit the back of the ship (ramp strike) or touchdown on the ship early, usually resulting in a 1 wire instead of the prefered 3 wire.  Hope this helps

-Jimi

burner12:
Thanks jimi, I think you cleared up the problem I have been having. Al this time I thought I was making great approaches but now I know the problem and I'm doing even better. Does anybody know to translate the debrief that Capt. Dale Snort Snodgrass gives? I can understand the basics he says " high start, little high in the middle, lined up right start" But is he using a specific point like when he says high in the middle he does mean the approach right? It could be no other thing, but I still can't translate alot of what he says?

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