Flaps Half - Carrier Landing

[Bremspropeller]

Greetings,

 

I scrolled through several VFA squadrons-pages on seaforces.org and every once in a while there was a picture of a Hornet coming across the ramp (or even in the gear) with flaps set to half.

 

See this VFA-113 bird as an example:

 

Is there any rule as to when using flaps half is beneficial or "not prohibited"? Probably helps during gusty conditions.

Is it down to pilot's discretion or would that be a rule on squadron/ airwing-level?

 

The only entry I seem to come up with in the NATOPS is a limitation for the 34,000lbs trap weight, where flaps half is okay with >40 knots of wind over deck.

 

Thanks for any info on this subject.

 

Edited August 1, 2021 by Bremspropeller

[TimRobertsen]

As far as I know (I am not a pilot), and as you mentioned: strong wids over the deck.

If the wind is somewhere above 30 knots, the carrier doing maybe 10 knots, and the hornet is really light, flying with flaps full, it'll take you some time to catch up with the carrier when you're in the groove.

Plus, as I have understood stuff, an aircraft becomes (slightly) less affected of gusts when it is traveling at a higher airspeed.

[Tom Kazansky]

^This.

 

There is a very nice video about a Swiss F/A-18C driver qualifying on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. And he mentioned the day it was his turn that there was 40 knots of wind and that he was worried about it because he needed half flaps for the approach if the wind won't calm down. (Video is in German, sorry, did not find an English version , @13min56s he is talking about that).

 

 

[FightsOn]

High wind over deck (40kts +) is the answer.  It’s dictated by the LSO’s, as the arresting gear needs to set appropriately for the configuration of the aircraft (half vs full).

 

It’s not a very typical thing, I’ve done 3 half flaps traps out of my 300 or so logged.

[Bremspropeller]

Thanks for the answers!