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GW Helps Future Aviators with TCQs

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060312-02
Release Date: 3/13/2006 6:00:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jerry Foltz, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) lent a helping hand to 45 naval aviation students March 6-10 during the training carrier qualifications (TCQ) process, which would lead them toward their final goal of becoming naval aviators.

The students have already completed classes for air combat maneuvers, weapons familiarization and formation flight, and have acquired a basic understanding of tactical aviation.

“These qualifications represents the final phase of there requirements before they are able to get their wings,” said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class (SW) Bethany Margeson, who directs the pilots at the marshal control console of the Carrier Controlled Approach Center in Air Operations. “They have to have so many traps and touch and go landing before they can become flight deck qualified.”

In the ready room, instructors and fellow students congratulated each other on the success of the day’s evolutions, sharing tips to make their next flight a better one.

“I feel very optimistic,” said instructor Lt. Tony Garrett. “The biggest thing to overcomes is nervousness from landing on a moving carrier as opposed to in a field. If pilots simply fall back on the basic procedures we teach them, they’ll be qualled before they know it.”

“We appreciate GW for 'rogering up' to the challenge,” said Capt. Russ Knight, the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss., who requalified in the T-45 trainer Monday. “This arena is completely different. Wind changes, course changes and a host of other factors make this venue a more challenging one.”

According to Margeson, the training exercise began about three weeks to a month ago as students completed field carrier landing practices (FLCP). During the FCLP, students practice hundreds of landings on a carrier deck painted on a runway. They are graded on every pass, whether high or low, and are given feedback to overcome problems that can arise when flying specific types of aircraft.

Joining the GW flight deck are Training Squadron (VT) 7 “Eagles” and the VT-8 “Tigers” from Meridian, Miss., and the VT-21 “Golden Eagles” and VT-22 “Redhawks” from Kingsville, Texas.

“In the unfortunate event they do not qualify, they will be taken back and trained for re-qualification,” Knight said.

Taking part in the GW flight exercise, the students will finish up their qualifications, which equates to approximately 140 to 150 hours in the air. From here, qualified aviators will attend a “winging” ceremony and be able to wear their gold wings. The graduates will then go to a fleet replacement squadron where they will be selected to fly either F/A-18 Hornets, E/A-6B Prowlers or E-2 Hawkeyes.