Seamanship

Flight Deck Operations

UNCLASSIFIED

References
Aircraft Signals NATOPS Manual, NAVAIR 00-80T-113
Helicopter Operating Procedures for Air Capable Ships, NWP 304.1 Series
US Navy Aircraft Emergency Rescue Information NATOPS
Manual, NAVAIR 00-80R-14-1
Standard Organization and Regulations of
the U.S. Navy Manual (SORM), OPNAVINST 3120.32

Terminal Objective

Given a surface ship underway DISCUSS the

fundamentals of flight deck operations IAW
NATOPS.

Enabling Objectives
DISCUSS the communications between aircraft, flight
control and ships with respect to UHF, light signals,
hand signals, and signal flags
DISCUSS the envelope necessary for air operations
DESCRIBE the responsibilities of the flight deck crew
DESCRIBE the Crash Crew equipment
DESCRIBE the considerations for conducting a
HIFR/VERTREP
DISCUSS the purpose, capabilities, limitations, and
ship lighting configuration for NVG operations
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Introduction

Communications
Imperative to notify other ships
operating in your vicinity.
Flag Hotel is used to indicate the
status of a flight operation.

Nav Equipment and Landing Aids

TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation): radio
nav system providing pilots with distance and
bearing to the ship; located on the main mast
Homing Beacon: Flashing white light on
main mast to provide visual aid for pilot
Stabilized Glide Slope Indicator (SGSI):
color of the light indicates to the pilot if they
are above (green), below (red), or on (amber)
the proper glide slope
Waveoff Lights: on either side of the SGSI,
when flashing the pilot must abort the landing
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Nav Equipment and Landing Aids

Flight Deck Status Lights: indicates
Red, Amber, or Green Deck
Flight Deck Floodlights: illuminate
flight deck
Vertical Dropline Lights: Red light
fixtures that provide aft extension for
white line-up lights
Horizon Reference System (HRS):
Provides pilot with artificial horizon and
visual cues during night ops
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Flight Quarters
Flight Deck Status
Red: ship can move freely, air ops not permitted
Amber: helo is being moved or repositioned on flight
deck, helo engaging or disengaging rotors
Green: ship must maintain course and speed, take off
and landing permitted

OOD Responsibilities
Ensure the ship's Flight Operations
Checklist is complete
Ensure crash, rescue, and firefighting
preparations are complete
Ensure navigation and visual landing
aids are operational and properly
displayed
Maintain communications between the
bridge and all stations involved in flight
operations, including: CIC, HCS, and
the flight deck
Maintain proper winds for helo
operation
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Wind Envelope
Specific to each class of ship and type of helicopter
Indicates required wind directions and speeds for day and night flight
operations
Lists the maximum allowable pitch and roll for the ship class
Wind speed given in relative

Wind Speed and direction: measured with anemometer (wind bird)

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Wind Envelope

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Flight Quarters Personnel

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Flight Quarters Personnel

TAO/CICWO: Responsible to OOD for helo airborne control, except
during launch and landing
ASTAC/ATAC: Controls and directs aircraft during tactical
operations
Helo Control Officer (HCO): Supervises all flight operations, located in
the Helicopter Control Station (HCS); controls helo during launch and
landing
Landing Signalman Enlisted (LSE): Visually signals to the pilot during
take-off, landing, and approach; wears Yellow jacket and cranial

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Flight Quarters Personnel

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Chock and Chain Personnel: Reports to

LSE; secures helo to the deck after landing;
wears Blue jacket and cranial

Fueling Team: Responsible for all fueling

operations and maintaining fueling rigs used
for helo operations; wears Purple jacket and
cranial

Crash and Smash Team: Responsible for

rescuing personnel and fighting fires on
flight deck; wears Red jacket and cranial

Flight Deck Safety Officer: Responsible for

the general safety of all flight deck
operations; wears White jacket and cranial

Crash Crew Equipment

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Helo In-Flight Refueling (HIFR)

HIFR conducted when flight deck is fouled due to VERTREP or
during rough seas

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Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Operations

Pilots and LSEs utilize NVGs
Nav lights are dimmed, Stern light is
blue
Word passed over 1MC to show no
white light topside
Any bright lights can temporarily blind
a NVG wearer

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Recovery, Assist, Securing, and Traversing System

(RAST)
Used aboard FFGs, CGs, and DDGs to assist in landing helicopters,
especially during high sea states.

Uses a high-tension cable to winch down a helo to the deck and

large claws to secure the helicopter for traversing into the hanger
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Questions?

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