Automated Carrier Landing System

[theblakeness]

does anybody know anything about this? All I know is it uses GPS to land the aircraft. Does anyone know if its used at all, or is planned to be used often?

Untill today, I had no idea such a thing even existed. I dont know about you guys but one of the things that drives me to want to be a Navy pilot is the chance to possibly trap on the deck.

thanks in advance

 

[jason12]

i think it may guide you to the carrier a little better, but with the uncertainty of the water the carrier is in i don't think it would be totally safe to trust a computer to land the plane for you...just a thought....who knows???.....plus that takes all the fun out of it! lol

"IF ONE ADVANCES CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF HIS DREAMS,
AND ENDEAVORS TO LIVE THE LIFE WHICH HE HAS IMAGINED, HE WILL MEET WITH A SUCCESS UNEXPECTED IN COMMON HOURS."

 

[chccurd]

Yeah, I think ACLS is guided by GPS. Its usually used as a secondary approach though, because the computer is sometimes inaccurate. Ideally, it tries to get you down on the #3 wire, but sometimes it bolters, so its not as accurate as they make it out to be. Who knows, eventually one day, that may be used all the time, but right now its used more in emergencies when landing conditions are rough, and the computer can better compute angles, etc. Hope that helps!
Chris

 

[EODDave]

I was told that radar was used. This was from an older F-4 Phantom Pilot. I'll ask around and see what is being used today.

Dave

 

[beau]

Yeah, this stuff been around long before GPS. The Prowler has it as well. I guess they are asked to use it every once in a while but I dont thing too many pilots trust it!

Finch

GO SOONERS!!!

 

[jarhead]

naw, the ACLS works via Data Link & an ACLS radar installed on the boat, not GPS ...

there are 3 modes --- Mode 1 that takes you all the way to touchdown ... Mode 1A that takes you to 200 feet & ~.5nm, then the pilot takes over (with Mode 2 cueing in the HUD) ... & Mode 2 which is the manual mode with a "tadpole" cueing in the HUD, similar to an ILS approach ...

and just in case anybody ever asks, the Hornet does NOT have a civilian/USAF capable ILS system

semper fi

 

[theblakeness]

this is a link that talks about the ACLS using GPS now:

http://pma265.navair.navy.mil/reports/2001/0501.html


it does mention that it used to use radar too, but they are now testing gps.

 

[EODDave]

The article says its in the test and demo phase. The Navy won't see it until the 2009 / 2010 time frame. So... It will be a while. Sounds promising. But until then, the ACLS using radar is what is being used.

Dave

 

[ea6bflyr]

AS far as the Prowler using ACLS...just doesn't happen. We use the needles (ICLS), but in order to use ACLS you need the Auto Throttles to work...which is mostly inoperable in the EA-6B. The Hornets use ACLS and auto throttles to do Mode I (Hands Off landings on the boat). So next time you hear a Hornet guy call the ball "301, Hornet Ball, AUTO" you know the pilot is using the Auto Throttles......is it cheating...hell yea! But if you aint cheating, you aint tryin!
ea6bflyr

 

[JKD]

Any idea if the system will full thottle and pull up in the event the wires are missed?
My guess is it would, but I wonder at what point the crew panics...

 

[jarhead]

no the ACLS system on the Hornet does not take you back flying if you bolter ... either 12 lbs of arm strength on the throttles or pressing the ATC button on the throttles will get you out of Auto-Throttle mode in order to advance the throttles & the ALCS automatically "uncouples" at weight on wheels (WOW)

semper fi

Originally posted by dsweeney
Any idea if the system will full thottle and pull up in the event the wires are missed?
My guess is it would, but I wonder at what point the crew panics...

 

[theblakeness]

so a question to you guys already out in the fleet:

how often is this used?? and what would you predict its future too be? Do you see it one day completely taking over the landing job for pilots??

thanks

 

[contrail_dash]

and just in case anybody ever asks, the Hornet does NOT have a civilian/USAF capable ILS system

Funny...a Cessna 172 has basic ILS...but a Hornet doesn't!!!

 

[Rainman]

alright well. . a Cessna MAY have an ILS. . . Good shot a Civilian aircraft has a cupholder, a yoke, and a GPS with all the nav/approach fixes not to mention freqs, airspace alerts, and even approach plates. To my [limited] knowledge pointy nose aircraft aren't equipped with such a database. If you require such avionics join the Coast Guard and fly King Airs--cupholders optional.