Departure/recovery Types
There are three types of departure and recovery operations, which are referred to as case I, case II, and case III. Primary responsibility for adherence to the departure rests with the pilot; however, advisory control is given by the ship's Departure Control radar operators, including when dictated by weather conditions.
- Case I
- When it is anticipated that flights will not encounter instrument conditions (instrument meteorological conditions) during daytime departures/recoveries, and the ceiling and visibility around the carrier are no lower than 3,000 feet and 5 nmi respectively.
Immediately after becoming airborne, aircraft raise their landing gear and perform "clearing turns" to the right off the bow and to the left off the waist catapults. This ~10° check turn is to increase separation of (near) simultaneously launched aircraft from the waist/bow catapults. After the clearing turn, aircraft proceed straight ahead paralleling the ship's course at 500 feet until 7 nmi. Aircraft are then cleared to climb unrestricted in visual conditions.
- Case II
- When it is anticipated that flights may encounter instrument conditions during a daytime departure/recovery, and the ceiling and visibility in the carrier control zone are no lower than 1,000 feet and 5 nmi respectively. Used for an overcast condition.
After a clearing turn, aircraft proceed straight ahead at 500 feet paralleling ship's course. At 7 nmi, aircraft turn to intercept a 10-nmi arc about the ship, maintaining visual conditions until established outbound on their assigned departure radial, at which time they are free to climb through the weather. The 500-foot restriction is lifted after 7 nmi if the climb can be continued in visual conditions.
- Case III
- When it is anticipated that flights will encounter instrument conditions during a departure/recovery because the ceiling or visibility around the carrier are lower than 1,000 feet and 5 nmi respectively; or for night time departures/recoveries.
A minimum launch interval of 30 seconds is used between aircraft, which climb straight ahead. At 7 nmi, they turn to fly the 10-nmi arc until intercepting their assigned departure radial.
Read more about this topic: Modern United States Navy Carrier Air Operations
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