Water Brakes If  the  water-brake  cylinder  elbow  pressure  drops below  minimum  value  the  water  brakes  should  be suspended and the CCP/main control console operator notified immediately. The malfunctioning water-brake pump should be secured and the standby pump started. Do not allow excessive oil to accumulate on top of the water in the water-brake reservoir. Skim off the oil, or remove it by adding fresh water and allowing the oil to flow out the overflow drain. NOTE During  in-port  periods,  do  not  skim  the water-brake  tanks  or  allow  the  water  level  to reach  the  overflow  pipe.  Maintain  the  water level  by  use  of  bottom  tank  drains.  This  is  to prevent oil from being dumped into harbors. Retraction Engine All loose gear and tools must be kept clear of the retraction   engine   and   cable   system.   Maintain   all pressures at predetermined settings. If any malfunction is observed during the advance of  the  grab  or  the  retraction  of  the  shuttle  and  grab, immediately  SUSPEND  the  retract  engine  and  notify the  CCP/main  console  operator.  All  sheaves  must  be inspected  for  freedom  of  motion  before  beginning  a series of launchings. General Operating    personnel    should    wear    appropriate protective clothing to prevent burns from steam or from contact with hot metallic surfaces. Earplugs should be worn in areas of high noise level. The   entire   hydraulic   system   must   be   vented thoroughly  and  frequently,  particularly  after  extended periods of idleness. Air in the fluid system may cause unpredictable  variations  in  catapult  performance  and delays in actuation of operating components. Combustible and volatile fluids and materials must be kept away from heated catapult parts to reduce the hazard of fire and explosion. Adequate ventilation must be  provided  below  flight  deck  level  to  prevent  the accumulation of explosive vapors. If   a   hangfire   occurs,   personnel   must   not   pass forward  of  the  aircraft  until  all  danger  of  a  delayed launching has passed. The   catapult   must   NOT   be   operated   with   any known broken lockwires, loose or cracked components, major hydraulic leakage, defective reeving, or electrical control malfunction. During  any  type  of  launching,  live  steam  escapes from the track and brake areas. As this steam can cause severe scalding of exposed areas of the body, personnel in the area must avoid contact with it. When the catapult is  in  operating  status,  exposed  metallic  parts,  such  as track covers, launching and exhaust valves, and steam supply  piping,  may  be  hot  enough  to  burn  exposed areas  of  the  body  on  contact.  Therefore,  operating personnel with duties in these areas should be equipped with appropriate protective clothing. Aircraft   launchings   must   NOT   be   made   if   the required  minimum  cylinder  elongation  has  not  been attained. An exception to this rule may be made under emergency conditions when wind-over-deck requirements   have   been   increased   as   specified   in applicable Aircraft Launching Bulletins. Aircraft must not be launched at weights and wind requirements  other  than  those  specified  in  applicable Aircraft   Launching   Bulletins.   Maximum   loading   of aircraft  as  specified  in  the  NATOPS  Manual  for  each type of aircraft, must be adhered to at all times. Inspect  all  pumps  and  their  limit  switches  and safety  valves.  Failure  of  safety  devices  can  result  in dangerous   overpressures   if   the   pump   continues   to operate.   This   condition   may   result   in   rupture   of hydraulic pneumatic lines and danger to personnel. SECURING THE CATAPULT At the completion of aircraft launching operations, the  catapult  officer  shall  decide  what  state  of  catapult readiness will be maintained. Depending on operational requirements, one of the following readiness conditions will be established: Ready The  order  to  maintain  the  catapult  in  a  READY condition  should  be  given  when  launching  operations are  intermittent  or  when  certain  conditions  make  it necessary to keep the catapult in a state of preparedness for launching within seconds after an order is given. In the READY condition, the catapult is kept in a fully operational status, as between launching cycles. 4-65