Carrier landings

[Danzig]

without wind = you die ^^ that's the way 

[Mossa666]

I might have found a solution to the problem of not beeing able to get a trap on the Essex when setting it up in ME. I've set up a mission where the carrier was part of a carrier group with support vessels. One of the support vessels was "number 1" in this group. I wasn't able to get a trap in this scenario. When I removed the other vessels (carrier in number 1 again) landing works fine. 

[Maddog-1969]

Another video maybe of interest. No audio, but some interesting footage for those interested in Corsair carrier operations. I hope one day we also get a deck crew and evermore so  pitching deck simulation. 

 

[michelip]

I have the same problem with arresting on the Essex in the Marianas WW2 map.

I have spent hours practising with a wind of 28 kn. Across the deck, with full flaps and despite regular ( about 20-30) good approaches at 90 – 100 kn. The hook refuses to catch. I have tried setting flaps 2 with no benefit.

I have carefully examined my replay footage on an outside (F2) view and I believe my problem is the flight model at low speeds: If on short finals you reduce speed to 90 Kn. The aircraft becomes very unstable by touchdown. If you fly any faster and try to flare a little at the last second to lower the tail, you lift off and miss altogether.

Possible developer solutions:

Check that there is no inherent problem with the Essex model.

Tune the Corsair's flight model to allow more stability and sink at speeds under 100 Kn.

Raise the Essex's wires a couple of inches. (It wouldn't even be visually noticeable)

Lengthen the hook.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to practise.

Regards,

Myself.

[razo+r]

19 minutes ago, michelip said:

I have the same problem with arresting on the Essex in the Marianas WW2 map.

I have spent hours practising with a wind of 28 kn. Across the deck, with full flaps and despite regular ( about 20-30) good approaches at 90 – 100 kn. The hook refuses to catch. I have tried setting flaps 2 with no benefit.

I have carefully examined my replay footage on an outside (F2) view and I believe my problem is the flight model at low speeds: If on short finals you reduce speed to 90 Kn. The aircraft becomes very unstable by touchdown. If you fly any faster and try to flare a little at the last second to lower the tail, you lift off and miss altogether.

Possible developer solutions:

Check that there is no inherent problem with the Essex model.

Tune the Corsair's flight model to allow more stability and sink at speeds under 100 Kn.

Raise the Essex's wires a couple of inches. (It wouldn't even be visually noticeable)

Lengthen the hook.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to practise.

Regards,

Myself.

As many people have no issues catching wires on the Essex, there might be a technique error on your side. Best thing you can do is upload a short track of one of your attempts, that way we can give you precise tipps what to improve.

[Maddog-1969]

Am 27.7.2025 um 09:00 schrieb michelip:

I have the same problem with arresting on the Essex in the Marianas WW2 map.

I have spent hours practising with a wind of 28 kn. Across the deck, with full flaps and despite regular ( about 20-30) good approaches at 90 – 100 kn. The hook refuses to catch. I have tried setting flaps 2 with no benefit.

I have carefully examined my replay footage on an outside (F2) view and I believe my problem is the flight model at low speeds: If on short finals you reduce speed to 90 Kn. The aircraft becomes very unstable by touchdown. If you fly any faster and try to flare a little at the last second to lower the tail, you lift off and miss altogether.

Possible developer solutions:

Check that there is no inherent problem with the Essex model.

Tune the Corsair's flight model to allow more stability and sink at speeds under 100 Kn.

Raise the Essex's wires a couple of inches. (It wouldn't even be visually noticeable)

Lengthen the hook.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to practise.

Regards,

Myself.

Without having seen the footage and having heard of a 'bug' with catching the wire if the carrier is moving in a certain direction on the map, I would suggest not to flare. A carrier aircraft you do not flare, but but fly into the deck. Setup the correct AoA in advance (speed and trim) should ensure that your aircraft (and hook) hit the deck at the right angle to catch the wires. If there is the need to adjust the rate of descend, adjust power and not pitch. Keep on practicing, I took me a while as well. I find this bird more challenging to land on a carrier than your average jet. However, good fun and very rewarding once you figure it out. 

[Saxman]

19 hours ago, Maddog-1969 said:

Without having seen the footage and having heard of a 'bug' with catching the wire if the carrier is moving in a certain direction on the map, I would suggest not to flare. A carrier aircraft you do not flare, but but fly into the deck. Setup the correct AoA in advance (speed and trim) should ensure that your aircraft (and hook) hit the deck at the right angle to catch the wires. If there is the need to adjust the rate of descend, adjust power and not pitch. Keep on practicing, I took me a while as well. I find this bird more challenging to land on a carrier than your average jet. However, good fun and very rewarding once you figure it out. 

That's counter to the training, which has you dip the nose slightly right as you get over the deck, and then flare for a three-point trap.

[Maddog-1969]

vor 4 Stunden schrieb Saxman:

That's counter to the training, which has you dip the nose slightly right as you get over the deck, and then flare for a three-point trap.

Hi Saxman, I am sure you're right. However, just sharing what works for me after watching several Royal Navy carrier Ops video's and practicing the FAA curved approach

Edited Saturday at 07:29 AM by Maddog-1969

[Saxman]

7 hours ago, Maddog-1969 said:

Hi Saxman, I am sure you're right. However, just sharing what works for me after watching several Royal Navy carrier Ops video's and practicing the FAA curved approach

It's just "the curved approach." VF-17 was already doing it when they completed their carrier qualifications in April, 1943 (the FAA didn't begin training on Corsairs until June...under VF-17's tutelage).

[Holbeach]

I'm following the manuals curved approach.
pretty scary stuff when you first try it, around 250' in the circuit.

But it means with flaps down you are already at the 3 point attitude and with plenty of power on, no wollowing and full view of the deck.

Cross the stern at 200 plus, cut power and it will plonk on the deck.

Better than freelancing and very satisfying.

..

[Cgjunk2]

On 7/9/2025 at 10:03 AM, Maddog-1969 said:

Another video maybe of interest. No audio, but some interesting footage for those interested in Corsair carrier operations. I hope one day we also get a deck crew and evermore so  pitching deck simulation. 

 

The instantaneous acceleration when they are using the cat shot seems pretty intense.  I get a  headache just watching it lol.

[Cgjunk2]

On 7/27/2025 at 2:00 AM, michelip said:

I have the same problem with arresting on the Essex in the Marianas WW2 map.

I have spent hours practising with a wind of 28 kn. Across the deck, with full flaps and despite regular ( about 20-30) good approaches at 90 – 100 kn. The hook refuses to catch. I have tried setting flaps 2 with no benefit.

I have carefully examined my replay footage on an outside (F2) view and I believe my problem is the flight model at low speeds: If on short finals you reduce speed to 90 Kn. The aircraft becomes very unstable by touchdown. If you fly any faster and try to flare a little at the last second to lower the tail, you lift off and miss altogether.

Possible developer solutions:

Check that there is no inherent problem with the Essex model.

Tune the Corsair's flight model to allow more stability and sink at speeds under 100 Kn.

Raise the Essex's wires a couple of inches. (It wouldn't even be visually noticeable)

Lengthen the hook.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to practise.

Regards,

Myself.

The few times that I've landed on the carrier, I've been able to catch a wire for the most part.  But I have noticed that it takes full pitch input with nearly full nose up trim to get nose angle high enough for a three point arrival on the deck.   Seems to fly like a very nose-heavy aircraft with full nose-up trim.