F/A-18 with JATO/RATO
Does any military pilot have experience of both (a) flying with JATO/RATO and (b) flying with catapult launch from a carrier? Is the thrust comparable? And are the piloting skills similar?
Would it be possible to use JATO/RATO on an F/A-18 to provide a cost-effective way of simulating catapult launches from a land base?
And could JATO/RATO be used to fly F/A-18 from a carrier without use of catapult (using a passive steering guide shoe if necessary)?
Note: JATO/RATO refers to rocket-assisted take-off. The letter J was used prior to subsequent development of jet engines.