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Top 5 Amazing Aircraft Carrier Landings

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It takes an incredible amount of skill to land a plane on an aircraft carrier.

Today we’re doing the top five amazing aircraft carrier landings!

How does an aircraft carrier increase tactical and strategic advantages in naval operations?

Aircraft carriers are widely known as the most important weapon in naval operations, primarily due to the most tactical and strategic advantages they offer. Carriers are capable of carrying thousands of crew members and several fighter jets, making them a force to be reckoned with. With their height, speed, and power, they can launch and recover fighter jets at an incredible rate. The landing is the most critical operation of any aircraft carrier. A missed landing can not only cause significant damage to the aircraft, but it could also result in the loss of the pilot. Although aircraft carrier landings are incredibly challenging, there have been some remarkable landings throughout history. In this article, we present the top 5 amazing aircraft carrier landings.

1. Jet Landing on USS Midway – 1985:

The United States Navy commissioned the USS Midway aircraft carrier in 1945, and it remained in active operation for forty-seven years. In 1985, a U.S. Navy jet landed smoothly on the aircraft carrier’s deck despite the catapult cable snapping. The pilot skillfully landed the aircraft without any fault, saving the aircraft carrier from any severe damages.

2. Harrier Jump Jet Landing on HMS Hermes:

The British Navy commissioned the HMS Hermes in 1959, making it the world’s first ship that could operate a Harrier Jump Jet. It was a significant achievement for the Navy as the Harrier Jump Jet was a unique aircraft type. By 1980, the HMS Hermes became the flagship during the Falkland War, displaying one of the most remarkable landings in recorded history. In one such situation, a Harrier Jump Jet was forced to emergency land on the HMS Hermes deck when the runway on the mainland was restricted. The pilot made a perfect landing, and that’s an extraordinary example of pilot skill and aircraft resilience.

3. Landing on Roughly Sea – 2015:

The U.S. Navy carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, experienced gale-force 7 winds and swells of up to 15 feet during the Super Typhoon Noul in 2015. A fighter jet attempting to land missed the arrestor cable, and his aircraft skidded 200 feet down the deck. The arresting hook subsequently caught on the cable, bringing the plane to a stop. The pilot survived the high-speed debris and safely brought the plane to a halt on the deck, displaying an exceptional amount of skill and control.

4. Carrier Landing Practice – 2019:

In 2019, a Chinese pilot was captured on camera performing an exceptional carrier practice landing on an aircraft carrier. The video, which attracted worldwide attention, showcased the pilot’s ability to execute a controlled landing without his hook hitting the deck, which could have resulted in a catastrophic failure. Despite the unorthodox approach, the pilot executed the landing with ease, testament to his bravery and skill.

5. Landing on an Aircraft Carrier Deck without Landing Gear – 2017:

In 2017, U.S. Air Force Captain Brett DeVries made an incredible landing on an aircraft carrier’s deck without landing gear. The three wheels on his fighter jet failed on his approach to the aircraft carrier, and he had to land without his landing gear. The manner in which he controlled the aircraft and positioned the nose to the deck was exceptional, allowing him to make a perfect landing. The aircraft suffered significant damage, but DeVries walked away unharmed, a remarkable feat.

In conclusion, the aircraft carrier’s landing mechanisms exhibit some of the most skillful and incredible maneuvering by pilots. The five landings mentioned above are remarkable and are a true testament to pilot grit, approach, and expertise in handling the aircraft in demanding and challenging situations. These feats amazed the world and inspired many aspirants hoping to become pilots someday.