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An aircraft carrier is like a very busy airport except that its landing operations
must address additional complexities such as fleet tactical
considerations, flight deck space constraints, aircraft carrier
maneuvering space (sea room), flight deck motion (pitch and
roll), continuous mechanical preparations, resetting arresting
gear and optical landing system between each landing,
airborne aircraft fuel status, aircraft ordinance, minimal use
of navigation, communications and RADAR emissions as in
EMCON operations; and, above all, time constraints.
Frequently, the ship is heaving 10 ft. up and 10 ft. down, causing a
20 ft. displacement from a level deck.
Landing Signal Officers (LSOs) aboard carriers rely on auditory cues and the equipment at the
LSO station to monitor each landing, communicate flight adjustments via radio to the pilot, and decide whether or not to wave off (e.g., abort the landing).
This difficult and time-critical task requires the LSO to consider the flight path, wind conditions, ship motion, as well as the type of aircraft.
The LSO's job is even more difficult during night operations, especially during stormy conditions, when it is difficult or impossible to see the aircraft approach.
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