CHAPTER 7
Shore-Based Procedures
THIS SECTION NOT APPPLICABLE TO THE T-45K TRAINING SYSTEM
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CHAPTER 8
Ship-Based Procedures
8.1 GENERAL
This LSO NATOPS and this manual are the governing publications for the carrier-based operations and procedures. As the T-45K has no non-ship landing capability, this section shall by default be treated as normal procedures.
8.2 PREFLIGHT
The preflight inspection shall be accomplished as specified below before operations commence.
8.2.1 Before filling pool (3-4 hours prior to use)
1. Sweep pool of debris/dirt
2. Check tightness of 4 anchor bolts bolting track to pool floor
3. Check track and crossmembers for damage and broken welds
4. Remove sump pump from pool at Kat Officer discretion
5. Check pool for damage
8.2.2 Filling pool
1. Fill pool using clean water from hose. It takes approximatley 4 hours to fill from garden hose.
CAUTION
Water from the fire truck can be nasty.
Use of fire truck not reccomented save for
time critical pool filling.
NOTE
Pool takes approximatley 900 gallons to fill
8.2.3 Track/Structure Inspection
1. Check anchor bolts for tightness
2. Check track tie plates and frame bolts for tightness
3. Check rails for alignment. Gap between sections is OK, side to side ailgnment is the important alignment
4. Check hook guideplates for proper attachment and damage
5. Check catapult spring mount for cracks/damage
6. Check winch is bolted down, winch ratchet, crank and strap for damage
7. Check Holdback stanchion for cracks/damage
8. Check Holdback (load release) for damage and proper function
9. Check holdback attachment shackles for damage and cotter pins
10.Check safety chain for damage and cotter pins
8.2.4 Arresting Gear Inspection
1. Check springs for damage/corrosion. Surface rust is OK.
2. Check arrester cables for fraying
3. Check eyebolts for cracks, and at least 3 threads protruding
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4. Check pulleys for damage and free movement, and bolted tight to crossmembers
5. Primary cables should sag no more than 2” in center of span
6. Barricade cables should sag no more than 3” in center of span
7. Adjust cables/springs IAW maintenance manual if required
8. Check all cable clamps tight. There are 3 clamps per cable.
8.2.5 Hook-Skip Ramp Inspection
1. Check ramp assembly for damage, to include cables and eyebolts
2. 3 threads shall be protruding at a minimum from eyebolt attachement nuts
3. Ramp should deflect no more than 3/4” at mid-span with 50 pounds force
4. Adjust cables IAW with maintenance section if required
5. Check cable clamps tight. There are 2 clamps per cable end
8.2.6 Catapult Inspection
1. Check spring for damage/corrosion. Surface rust is OK
2. Check snubber cable for damage
3. Check snubber cable in adjustment. Snubber cable should pull spring off of catapult hook while there is still 5-10 pounds tension on the spring.
8.2.7 Jet Inspection
1. Check wheels for damage/tightness/free rotation
2. Check Axles and Frame for damage/corrosion/cracked welds
3. Check Catapult Hook for damage and attachment bolt tightness
4. Check that floor anti-skid strips are in good condition.
5. Ensure all 5 harness mount bolts are tight
6. Ensure all 4 seat attachment bolts are tight
7. Check seat edge protection moulding is in place
8. Check harness for damage, and proper buckle operation
9. Check stick for damage, pivot bolt tightness and proper grip attachement
10. Check uplock and hook springs for damage
11. Check hook for damage, paying special attention to the hook point
12. Check hook pivot bolt for proper hardware (shims, lockwasher, nut) and tighness
13. Check uplock for damage/proper operation
14. Check uplock arming pin for proper adjustment
15. Check that hook in down position has less than 3/8” clearance on crossmembers and is hitting ramps no lower than 1/2” below crossmembers.
8.2.8 Engagement Check
Perform a walk-through engagement check, and check the following:
1. Hook in “armed” position clears the primary wire
2. Hook in “armed” position engages the safety wire
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3. Bring jet above the primary wire, but below hook-skip, and drop hook.
4. Ensure hook fully engages primary wire in the down position.
5. While holding stick in the release position, push jet above the hook skip.
6. Hook should lock up, release uplock, and hold stick in the release position
6(a)Bring jet over hook skip, hook should lock up
6(b)Hook should clear the primary wire, and engage safety wire
7. If the jet does not do the above, consult the troubleshooting matrix
8. Return jet to launch platform, safety chain on, holdback on, winch attached.
8.3 FINAL PREPARATIONS
The T-45K is ready for operation upon pool being filled to within 10 inches of maximum depth.
8.4 INITIAL LAUNCH
1. Release holdback, remove safety chain, winch to "OUT"
2. Pull jet forward to Katapult Hookup Point.
WARNING
The winch handle will spin quickly.
Remain clear of winch handle.
3. Winch to "IN", Hook up Katapult Spring to Bridle Hook
CAUTION
Ensure snubber cable is on the bottom
of the spring to avoid spring damage.
4. Winch Operator tensions catapult on signal, slowing jet motion when directed by Kat Officer.
5. Kat officer attaches safety chain, then holdback fitting.
WARNING
The safety chain shall be engaged whenever
persons are forward of the jet in tension,
while arming seat or holdback and whenever
the pilot is unstrapped.
6. Shooter checks hook and uplock armed.
7. Shooter and Bridle Tech assist pilot in boarding jet, and
strapping in.
8. Kat Officer checks that pilot is properly strapped in.
9. Winch to "OUT". Slowly release tension on winch until the
holdback holding is assured.
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NOTE
Taking additional tension may be required
to switch winch ratchet to "OUT".
10. Winch Operator removes winch and lets it hang clear, then gives thumbs up to the Shooter.
11. Bridle tech checks track clear, gives thumbs up to Shooter.
12. Shooter gives "run-up" signal, Kat Officer removes safety chain from jet and gives thumbs up to Shooter.
WARNING
The Katapult is now ready to fire.
Jet may launch at any time.
13. Pilot salutes Shooter, who gives the "FIRE KAT" signal.
14. Kat Officer gives track last check clear, pulls firing laynard, launching jet.
15. Kat Krew prepares to catch jet in case of arrestment.
WARNING
In case of arrestment, the Jet will
be coming back at you quickly. Be
prepared to catch it.
16. Jet is returned to Katapult Hookup Point.
17. Repeat steps 3-6
18. Pilot is cleared to unstrap once safety chain is on.
8.3 SUBSEQUENT LAUNCHES
1. Wipe seat dry, if wet.
2. Shooter, Bridle Tech and Winch Operator assist new pilot in boarding.
NOTE
For subsequent flights with same pilot,
skip steps 1 thru 3.
3. Kat Officer checks that pilot is properly strapped in.
4. Winch to "OUT". Slowly release tension on winch until the
holdback holding is assured.
NOTE
Taking additional tension may be required
to switch winch ratchet to "OUT".
5. Operator removes winch and lets it hang clear, then gives thumbs up to the Shooter.
6. Bridle tech checks track clear, gives thumbs up to Shooter.
7. Shooter gives "run-up" signal, Kat Officer removes safety chain from jet and gives thumbs up to Shooter.
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WARNING
The Katapult is now ready to fire.
Jet may launch at any time.
8. Pilot salutes Shooter, who gives the "FIRE KAT" signal.
9. Kat Officer gives track last check clear, pulls firing laynard, launching jet.
10. Kat Krew prepares to catch jet in case of arrestment.
WARNING
In case of arrestment, the Jet will
be coming back at you quickly. Be
prepared to catch it.
16. Jet is returned to Katapult Hookup Point.
17. Winch to "IN", Hook up Katapult Spring to Bridle Hook
CAUTION
Ensure snubber cable is on the bottom
of the spring to avoid spring damage.
18. Winch Operator tensions catapult on signal, slowing jet motion when directed by Kat Officer.
19. Kat officer attaches safety chain, then holdback fitting.
WARNING
The safety chain shall be engaged whenever
persons are forward of the jet in tension,
while arming seat or holdback and whenever
the pilot is unstrapped.
20. Shooter checks hook and uplock armed.
21. Pilot is cleared to unstrap once safety chain is on.
8.4 ARRESTMENT PROCEDURES
In event of successful arrestment, the jet will be launched back toward the starting point by the arresting gear. The Kat Krew should grab the jet once its upward motion stops.
WARNING
Body parts or clothing shall NEVER be placed
on the track while the jet is in motion or
being put in or in tension.
8.5 BOLTER PROCEDURES
In the unlikely event of a BOLTER, two members of the Kat Krew shall grab the jet and push it back to the Katapult Hookup Point, after directing the pilot to keep the stick in the aft position to allow the hook to retract while passing the Hook Skip Ramp.
CAUTION
Holding the stick forward may jam the uplock on pushback
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