LAUNCHING PROCEDURE

petty officer in the crew. He is responsible for the crew and directs them in the movement of aircraft. The crew leader acts as the director's assistant, and is in charge of the crew in the absence of the director. Crew members are stationed near the wing tips on the opposite side of the aircraft and act as wing walkers. One crew member is referred to as the safety man. It is his/her duty to keep the director informed about the safety of the aircraft and to prevent accidental damage and personal injury. Two of the crew members serve as chockmen. They tend the chocks, removing them and chocking the aircraft when the director gives the signal. When aircraft are moved on the hangar deck, directors must make sure they do not hit bulkheads, hangar deck fixtures, support equipment, or other aircraft. The handling crew safety men are in the best position to prevent collisions of this sort. It is the plane director's responsibility to keep the crew thoroughly informed about safety precautions for handling aircraft. Each crew member must know his/her responsibility as an individual and as a member of the plane-handling crew. A good plane director must be able to obtain maximum efficiency from his/her crew. When aircraft are being moved on the flight deck or hangar bay by handling crews, verbal orders (with or without radio headsets), hand signals, and whistles are used in giving directions. You must remember that the noise level on an operating carrier during landing and launching operations is very high. All verbal orders must be given in a loud and clear manner. Indistinct directions or orders may lead to costly accidents. When a high noise level can cause misunderstanding, the plane director must make sure that directions are understood by some form of return signal from his crewmen. In most cases the aircraft cockpit is manned during a move. This person acts as a brake rider, and only qualified personnel are allowed to perform this task. When moving an aircraft by pushing, handling crews must know the proper positions for pushing to prevent damage to the aircraft. Crews must also know the correct use of handling equipment and the proper use of aircraft securing equipment. LAUNCHING PROCEDURE As soon as the flight requirements for a launch are known, the aircraft handling officer holds a briefing, which is attended by key flight deck personnel, including flight directors, spotters, catapult and 10-3 HELMET AURAL SOUND PROTECTOR (TYP) PROTECTIVE GOGGLES CRANIAL IMPACT (BACK) CRANIAL IMPACT (FRONT) CLOTH LINER ANf1001 Figure 10-1.—Cranial helmet assembly.