The deck of an operational aircraft carrier has been described as one of the most dangerous work environments in the world. Overpowered armed planes moving at over 100 miles an hour in very confined spaces; very little room for error on the heaving deck of a ship under power in the open ocean; lethal engine exhaust and intakes that can suck you in from a dozen feet away; fuel and live ordinance all around; nowhere to go but off, down 20 stories into the drink. Now throw in the extra challenge of darkness and you have a situation ripe for disaster. This one is for the tech/plane geeks. Just video of routine night operations. Note the full throttle afterburners on the F-18s on landing, in case they miss the lines and arresting gear and have to take off again. The hand signaling is a language in its own right. While the purposes to which this machine is put can have some very unsavory motivations, I cannot help but be impressed at the sheer audacity, the skill and the dance. (On a personal note, Ive actually been on this particular aircraft carrier as a teenager, over 30 years ago)
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 09:58:11 +0000
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