JFK, CNATRA Sucessfully Complete Carrier Qualifications
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS051031-02
Release Date: 10/31/2005 9:47:00 AM
By Journalist 2nd Class (SW) Sunday Williams, USS John F. Kennedy Public Affairs
ABOARD USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), based out of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, took center stage as USS John F. Kennedy (JFK) (CV 67) got underway Oct. 25 to conduct carrier qualifications (CQs).
Despite challenges with the weather that prompted an initial schedule change, Kennedy successfully completed the week-long CQ period Oct. 28. All told, the Mayport Fla.-based aircraft carrier logged 548 traps, qualifying 33 new pilots.
“The delay in the ship getting underway caused us to play catch up with the flight schedule,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Thomas of JFK’s air department. “Fortunately, the rain held up, and we were able to trap over 220 aircraft Wednesday, putting ourselves in prime position to complete the required number of landings on schedule.”
CNATRA flew two training wings aboard Kennedy, each consisting of four training squadrons (VT), in order to qualify them to land on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. This was one of eight CQ periods the VT squadrons, that train in the cockpit of the T-45 Goshhawk, fly each year.
According to CNATRA Instructor Cmdr. Jon Mostyn, the 35 student pilots had to each complete 10 arrested landings and four “touch-and-go's", while achieving a certain grade point average and boarding rate in order for them to qualify.
Students will next move on to learn how to fly a specific carrier-based aircraft, as part of a fleet replacement squadron.
“This is the hardest thing they go through because there is no way for them to prepare for landing on a carrier,” said Mostyn. “They have to stay focused and use their training to assess the situation and overcome the pressure of never having done a carrier landing. In addition, knowing they are being graded increases the pressure.”
Mostyn explained that the instructors have to be very thorough in scrutinizing students’ performance to ensure quality pilots for the fleet.
“We are responsible for the pilots that enter the fleet and defend our country,” said Mostyn. “We can’t afford to let mediocre aviators slip through the cracks and move on to possibly make a huge mistake that could cost lives or money. We have to be tough and be sure that these pilots are at the top of their game.”
VT-7 and VT-9 are based out of Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss., and make up Training Squadron 1. VT-21 and VT-22 are based out of Kingsville, Texas and make up Training Squadron Two.
Mostyn said an interesting thing about these training wings is that not all of the pilots are Americans. CNATRA also trains pilots from foreign countries, including five aviators from France, Italy and Spain who were a part of this week’s CQ on board JFK.
French aviator Lt.j.g. Francois Daylaud said landing aboard Kennedy was challenging and difficult to describe.
“This was very exciting for me,” said Daylaud. “It is hard to put into words, but it’s much harder than landing on the ground.”
Kennedy’s Commanding Officer Capt. Dennis E. FitzPatrick said the CQ was more than just an opportunity to qualify new pilots for the fleet.
“This CQ was the perfect time for Sailors to re-evaluate safety procedures and take a look at spaces around the ship, fix problems and equipment, and improve the ship’s material condition,” said
FitzPatrick. “Sailors had the chance to focus on sharpening their skills, perform maintenance and improve their professional careers.”
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