PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Hands to Flying Stations Scimitars and Sea Vixens
Old 30th Aug 2010, 19:48
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omega892
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Yeovil
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Dark Moon A-rising

Further to the senior P's comments, we certainly did night fly and regularly when the ship and squadrons were worked up. Not only by night, but also in foul weather, without a moon, without a diversion in the middle of the Indian Ocean and operating from a deck completely blacked out apart from red centreline lights and the meatball. We relied heavily on good ATCOs who talked us down on a CCA and then it was "centreline, speed and height" until a trap or "bolter".
There were accidents and too many losses, then, but we accepted the dangers and got on with the job.
Operating from the deck was a thoroughly satisfying experience when using catapults and arrester gear, I just hope that the Future Carriers will be so equipped if and when they fully commission with the RN.

Fly Navy!
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