CAG
STRIKE (“P”), directly responsible for the operational readiness and tactical performance of the air wing
AIRBOSS
“Prifly” is the control tower for the flight ops on the carrier.
DESRON
“Z” = “S”+”X” - usually provides mission tasking based on the current surpic
ATO
Air Transfer Officer coordinates the transfer, receipt, and accounting for all parts and people moved to and from the carrier by air. Pax transfers coordinated through ATO
Handler
“Snoopy” - responsible for movement of aircraft before launching and after landing
CVN launch weather mins
200-1/2
Helos SHALL take departure to port and SHALL not cross…
…the bow within 5nm or the stern within 3nm without specific clearance from tower.
Launching of helos from spots 4, 5, and 6 with aircraft turning in the “six-pack”
SHOULD be avoided to prevent hot gas ingestion of a departing helo (potential for compressor stalls) and to decrease heat stress on LSE/PC and helo troubleshooters.
Plane Guard Station
Designated plane guard helo is “on station” when operating within 20nm (day) or 10nm (night) of the carrier.
Helicopter Readiness Condition I
(alert 5) aircraft spotted for immediate launch
Helicopter Readiness Condition II
(alert 15) same as cond I, crew stands by in ready room
Helicopter Readiness Condition III
(alert 30) rotor folded, not on spot but parked to allow immediate access to launch spot
Helicopter Readiness Condition IV
(alert 60) same as cond III, minor mx allowed
“Snuggle up”
directive to operate within 1 nm of the ship and land within next 5 minutes
“charlie”
cleared to cross the stern (if required) and to commence an approach to the designated landing spot
CVN inst approach wx mins for helos
NON Precision: 300-3/4, MODE III: 200-1/2
Safety Precautions (1-5)
- Personnel shall not be permitted to approach or depart a helicopter while rotors are being engaged or disengaged.
- Personnel required to be in the area of helicopters engaging/disengaging rotors shall either stand next to the fuselage or well outside the rotor area.
- The air officer or his rep shall pass over the 5MC, “Stand well clear of helo (side #) while engaging/disengaging rotors on spot (#).
- Except in case of emergency, pilots shall not stop engines or fold rotor blades without proper clearance from the LSE.
- The waveoff and hold signals are MANDATORY and SHALL be executed immediately.
Safety Precautions (6-10)
- Helos should not be taxied on the flight deck.
- Helos SHALL not be towed or pushed with rotors engaged.
- With ship roll > 4 degrees, launch/recovery of helos while the ship is in a turn should be attempted only when authorized by the carrier CO or his representative.
- With ship roll > 4 degrees, helos rotors should not be engaged/disengaged while the ship is in a turn. Must be approved by the carrier CO.
- Departing or approaching helos SHALL never be flown over another aircraft.
Safety Precautions (11-15)
- Only spots that afford visual reference to the deck shall be used for night helo launches.
- Helo SHALL not be landed or launched where their eng performances or stability could be affected by turning jet engines. Jet exhaust SHALL not be directed into the path of the aircraft being launched.
- The area in front of helos with forward firing ordnance shall be clear of personnel and equipment. If CV CO deems necessary, helos loaded with forward firing ordnance are authorized to utilize spot 7. Helo shall be offset to STBD when spotted for launch and when landing. Helos with HUNG/MISFIRED forward firing ordnance SHALL NOT launch/recover on spot 7.
- Personnel shall not be permitted to enter rotor arc area of an engaged helo on spot 7 when fixed wing aircraft are in tension on catapults 3 or 4.
- Helo ops on spot 8 SHALL NOT be conducted when fixed wing aircraft are in tension on catapults 3 or 4.
Safety Precautions (16-20)
- Spot 2 starboard approaches and departures are prohibited.
- Hot refueling ops SHALL NOT be conducted on spot 8.
- Helo ops shall not be conducted on spot 8 when fixed wing aircraft recoveries are taking place.
- LSO platform shall be lowered and clear of personnel for helo takeoffs and landings on spot 8.
- Safety boundaries around spots 7 & 8 shall be clear of unnecessary personnel and equipment when helo ops are being conducted.
Safety Precautions (21-25)
- For all helo ops on spots 7 and 8, aircraft handling officer shall ensure the aircraft elevator has been secured in accordance with EOSS short term secure procedures, stanchions lowered and locks properly engaged.
- Left seat slide in visual recoveries to spot 2 are not recommended.
- Left seat slide in visual recoveries to spot 3 are prohibited.
- Cross cockpit recoveries forward of an occupied spot are not recommended
- Concurrent ops involving fixed wing aircraft and H-60 helos are authorized precision H-60 spots 2 and 7. Concurrent ops include ground turns, takeoffs/landings during fixed wing flight ops.
Safety Precautions (26-27)
- If any spot 1-6 is occupied by an H-46, H-47, H-53, or V-22, the spots immediately forward and aft shall remain vacant.
- Case III unaided helo recoveries shall be conducted to the angled deck, from astern, utilizing the OLS, with wind oriented to the centerline of the angle deck and within parameters set forth in NATOPS.
OTC/CWC/CSGC
Officer in Tactical Command/Composite Warfare Commander/Carrier Strike Group Commander (1 star addy)
CVW composition
-4 VFA squadrons
-1 VAQ squadron
-1 VAW squadron
-1-2 HSC/HSM squadrons
-1 VRC squadron
