So, I have been reading up on how to do a proper landing on the carrier.
From what I gather: 5 miles out 50 degree nozzles, at 2 miles (call the ball) 60 degrees on nozzles, keeping your "witch hat" at 0 degrees on the HUD, at about .5 you move to hover stop which is 79 degrees on nozzles, and pitch up to 10 degrees to slow down (more AOA as needed?).
This is probably a case of needing more practice but doing this properly isn't easy... the issue is mostly coming to a stop without gaining altitude. Earlier I was using nozzles to slow myself down, but that results in having to change thrust to compensate.
Reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwj2587C__HXAhXSRt8KHbG7Au4QFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.f-16.net%2Fforum%2Fdownload%2Ffile.php%3Fid%3D18071&usg=AOvVaw3WwfG2ioOFgEbOCvXp3972