An interesting footage, shot by a “white shirt” on the flight deck of USS George H. W. Bush, shows the final checks on a VFA-87 F/A-18C Hornet before cat launch.
Final Checkers are flight deck inspectors which make final exterior checks of the aircraft, watch certain parts of the launching aircraft before give thumbs up before it is launched.
Image credit: U.S. Navy
H/T Matt Fanning for the heads-up
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I'm loving the influx of Go Pro video from pilots and now crewmen. It's giving us a real great glimpse at aviation operations. It's too bad the F-14 Tomcat wasn't still launching from decks, I would have died to see that aspect.
Years ago, I worked nights caring for kids getting complex chemotherapy for cancers such as leukemia. That item-by-item checking from the front of the plane to the rear in this video was precisely how I made sure those IVs were right.
I began at each IV bag and followed the flow of fluid through every step in the process until it reached the child, making sure valves were open or closed (as required) and that sensors were in their proper place. I did that every time I went into a room and, like that flight inspector, I got very fast at checking everything but missing nothing.
Whether it's launching planes or treating sick people, the old carpenter's adage about "Measure Twice, Cut Once" applies. When lives are involved, you can't be too careful. Check, check, check. And never let your mind wander. Throughout those dark nights, I kept telling myself, "If I screw up, someone could die." That's equally true on a busy carrier flight deck.
--Michael W. Perry, My Nights with Leukemia
that sure brings back memories. I was a flight deck troubleshooter with vf-143 pukin' dogs aboard USS Enterprise in '72- '73 flying f4j's. hard work but it was never boring. it was always a rush every time we shot one off. nice to see things haven't changed all that much. fair winds, following seas.
Tomcats ruled....
Very nice.
Nice vid!
A bit surprised though that the USN is still using AIM-7 Sparrows on its Hornets and even Super Hornets while the Air Force retired that ageing missile years ago. In fact, AMRAAMs seem to be carried very rarely by USN F/A-18s. Any reasons?
Pretty sure the F/A-18C carries AMRAAM. Does it say otherwise in the video?
Nope, its clearly a Sparrow on this Hornet. AMRAAM has a smaller body and fins. AMRAAM is also in the Navy inventory but as i said, it seems to be carried very rarely and i wonder why.
Yes they do carry AMRAAM and the sparrow is still a good missle
AIM-7's?! I know blue collar means training round...but still
WHHHATTTT?? I have hearing loss at 22? But I never listened to loud music.
Navy blue shirts, keeping up Belltone's profit margin since 1910.
I'm sure the chi-coms are taking notes for their carriers operations.
When did RVAW-120 become VAW-120?