For grades:
the GPA and boarding rate minimums are mostly used during initial CQ and undergraduate CQ on the T-45. In the fleet, recurrent CQ, it is more pass/fail than formal GPA. As an example, getting a cut pass and throwing out shitty passes could DQ you. But if you consistently get aboard safely, with maybe a turd or two, you’re going to “pass.” It’s the subjective judgment of Paddles if you are proficient enough to continue on to cyclic ops. Remember, recurrent CQ is done in the first couple of days of an underway period, with the remaining weeks (or months in the case of deployment) being cyclic.
In the case of initial or undergraduate CQ, if a pilot is consistently struggling with something, a quick pep talk over the radio is one of the techniques used. If a person has no chance of passing, then they will get out of the jet after their next trap. Usually if somebody is able to complete all of their traps without being sidelined early, then they were good enough, and if necessary, previous grades can be “massaged” if in Paddles judgment the pilot should pass.
The GPA and boarding rate requirements for CQ are formalized in the Navy’s CQ instruction. That is the master document across all of Naval Aviation. It is not up to individual airwings or the rags or Paddles. It is written down in the instruction.
here s a bedtime story that tells it all
https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/pubs/folder2/3740_9D_ch5.pdf
What you assume is something that is very misunderstood within the community. There is no such thing as the LSO saying 3/4mile call the ball.. There is also not such a thing as the LSO saying "paddles contact" all the time.
First you need to understand that the boat can operate either CQ or Cyclic... (CQ to gain or re-gain qualification, and Cyclic is the Normal way of operation)
During CQ Case I a ball call is made. It would actually be something like "206, Hornet ball, with your last name".
During Cyclic Case I a ball call is NOT made.. The whole idea of cyclic ops is to reduce emissions and protect the boats position.
Another thing you need to understand is that during case I or II there is no such thing as 3/4 of a mile... VERY MISUNDERSTOOD IN DCS...
During a case I or II, the groove length is based on time.. Ideally 15 to 18 seconds.. FORGET THE 3/4 of a mile and NEVER use it again when speaking about case I or case II.
During Case III a ball call is always made.. AND during case III the 3/4 of a mile comes into play...
Now how would that go...
-You commence on Marshal BTN 16
-You will then be transferred to Approach on either BTN 15 or BTN 17... every other aircraft will be on a different button to declutter the frequency.
-At 8 miles the final approach controller takes over by saying XXX, Final radar contact... ( HE WILL BE ON THE SAME FREQUENCY AS THE APP CONTROLLER )
-At 3/4 of a mile the FINAL APPROACH CONTROLLER will say something as 204, On course, on Glidepath 3/4 of mile call the ball...
-You will reply with you're modex, type, ball, (and possibly AUTO)
-THEN the LSO will answer with a roger, ball something like "Roger ball, X knots" or Roger ball, x-knots, port, starboard, axial.
“Axial” is used for a starboard wind of about 3 knots. “Starboard” is used for a starboard wind of 4+ knots. “Port” is used for a port wind of 3+ knots
@Golo After the initial marshal call, there will still be a "see you at 10" Marshal will then transfer you to TWR and you will NOT check-in with tower during Cyclic.. This is where the ZIP-LIP starts. I made a video that explains it all.
Pieterras's post in Carrier Qualification Requirements was marked as the answer