Barrier Engagement

[Red Horse]

Got to go out to a annual barrier certification catch yesterday. Here are a few pics. The plane hits the cable at about 120 knots. The big green things are just really big brakes with a strap on them. The strap is about 12 inches thick and about 3/4 wide. This one is rated to catch planes to 50K pounds.

[kevnmcd]

That is cool! So it is the same kind of thing that would be on a carrier, only on land? :dunno:

[Red Horse]

That is cool! So it is the same kind of thing that would be on a carrier, only on land? :dunno:

It is similar. On a carrier it is for EVERY landing. So they are more of a heavy duty with more redundant systems. Plus on a carrier, they are steam powered. Ours are diesel engine powered. Here it is only in case of an IFE (in flight emergency) such as loss of hyd pressure, brakes, landing gear wont come down etc. On some of these, the plane will circle, other aircrew members will observe from the ground, take pics, advise, maybe some one has had same problem then they execute. Other times, they are lucky to make it to the air field and need to be caught!

[kevnmcd]

That explains it. Thanks.

[PUMP 'HER']

Prolly stops as fast as my boat.