Landing Signal Officer

A Landing Signal Officer (LSO) is a naval aviators specially trained to facilitate the "safe and expeditious recovery" of naval aircraft aboard aircraft carriers. Originally LSOs were responsible for bringing aircraft aboard ship using hand signals. Since the introduction of optical landing systems in the 1950s, LSOs assist pilots by giving information via radio handsets.

Read more about Landing Signal Officer:  "Paddles", Early Years, Optical Landing System, US LSO Qualifications, Wave Teams, Grading, Popular Culture

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