Landing on a Pitching Deck!!!

Now that's a tight squeeze- no room for error there.
A helicopter isn't permanently embarked on a 210' ft cutter is it? What are the sea state limits whithin which they will conduct air ops on one of these cutters? Didn't they used to have a trap system on board these that would literally allow them to winch them down in heavy seas? It must be a stressful operation from the pilots perspective even in smooth weather- can't imagine what it would be like in rough stuff.
 
An Aviation Detachment (AVDET) will some times stick with a cutter for a patrol, but that helo isn't always with the same cutter. I'm not sure about the roll limitations for a 210', but I should know that.

If you look at the flight deck as the helo is approaching, there is a grid in the middle. The helo has a "TALON" that extends from the underside of the helo and engages the grid. The line retracts and partially secures the helo. A "tie-down" crew will then "tie down" the helo, provided the helo isn't doing touch and goes.

Very tight squeeze indeed. I seen a few hairy calls too.
 
Bullet summed up a long time ago to me in "stupid speak" landing on a carrier is like landing on a postage stamp on a football field! Kind of puts in reality how intense that would be.

I do agree with Bullet, as a spouse when he was in the badlands, I had less concerns because as he would say he liked the fact that the runway was exactly where he left it when he took off.:rolleyes:

Off topic, but have you ever realized when flying commercially sometimes you taxi forever after landing and sometimes you land and roll up to the gate in a minute? Figure it out, most commercial pilots have had a lifetime of military experience. Navy pilots have a very short runway, AF lots longer. As I always exit and if the pilot is by the door you exit, I will say Navy or AF to the pilot depending on which one I think they are. Most of the time they will answer YEP. One time the pilot asked me how I knew, I told him you landed as soon as the runway was in sight. He chuckled!
 
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