China certifies first aircraft carrier pilots

Flight International ^ | 07/04/2013 | Greg Waldron

[sukhoi-30mki]

China certifies first aircraft carrier pilots

China has certified its first pilots deck crew for aircraft carrier operations following a 25-day training deployment by the nation's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.

During the cruise, pilots "executed several continuous take-off and landing exercises, making China one of the few countries in the world that can train its own carrier-borne jet pilots", according to a statement on China's defence ministry website.

The certifications were awarded to five pilots and an unstated number of landing signal officers after they were tested on skills related to the operation of fixed wing aircraft from a warship.

The aircraft used in the exercise - the Shenyang J-15 - is based on Russia's Sukhoi Su-33, although Beijing has claimed that the J-15 is based on China-developed technologies.

In late 2012, Beijing mounted a public relations campaign around the first flights from the Liaoning, which was originally built by the Soviet Union as the Varyag.

China has said that it intends to use the vessel primarily to train pilots and sailors for carrier operations, as well as to develop carrier doctrine.

In April, a senior Chinese navy official said that Beijing plans to have an aircraft carrier that is larger and can carry more aircraft than the Liaoning.

"The next aircraft carrier we need will be larger and carry more fighters," said Song Xue, deputy chief of staff of the Chinese navy.

Song added that Beijing's future carriers will embark not only fighters, but "reconnaissance aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, electronic countermeasures planes, and rotary-wing aircraft". A composite air wing such as this demands a carrier with catapult assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) capability. The only nations that operate such warships are the USA, France and Brazil.

The Liaoning is a short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) carrier, which limits its air wing to fighter aircraft and helicopters. Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system aircraft such as the US Navy's Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and other essential support aircraft require a ship that has CATOBAR capability.

[ptsal]

....any chance of McNasty going over there to show’m how to make carrier landings....

[Secret Agent Man]

not that you can really tell in the photo, but that car was going somewhere around 125 mph when it catapulted off the deck.

[Chode]

oh yeah...

[Wings-n-Wind]

Keep an eye on youtube for the inevitable first ramp-strike.

[353FMG]

>China has 4 or 5 times the population of America.<

.
And it is not importing people from 3rd world nations.

And for those who consider China to be 3rd world they have an unpleasant surprise waiting for them.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Indeed.

I think most people do not at all, realize China is now as advanced (or more advanced) than America.

I believe their cell-phone ownership exceeds our own.

All personal phones made in the world, are made there I believe.

Half the goods (or more) in every store in America, are made in China. Stereos. Computers. Tools. Appliances. Clothes. Shoes. You name it.

China now according to one set of figures I have seen, exports more than America. And their exports are growing.

We buy. And buy. And buy everything from abroad, and make countries like China wealthy.

And make ourselves poorer, and out of work.

How long with this idiocy go on, until the right people get a grip?

America is collapsing.

Buy American now.

[rmlew]

The interesting aspect to all this however is, China is the only country in the world currently listed in Wikipedia, as having future aircraft carriers on the way.
Not even close. The US is slowly building additional supercarriers to replace those we are retiring. The USS Geral Ford will be launched this year. The new JFK has been laid down. (Although we have lowered our number form 12 to 11. sigh) The British are building 2 fleet carriers (Queen Elizabeth Class). The French were supposed to get their own Queen Elizabeth variant but cancelled. The Indians are about to commision INS Vikramaditya, which is a rebuilt Soviet design. They are also building two Vikraant class carriers in the 65,000 ton range. Russia is making noise about building two new carriers in addition to their signle remaining carrier. If you want to talk about Stovl carriers, there are alot more being built.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

I’m only saying.

China is by some accounts now the world’s premier exporter. Bar none.

China seems to be adopting the “blue water power” role, now. Somewhat aggressively.

That is all I am saying. We are resting on our laurels if we think we will somehow as if by magic, remain in the lead.

Already, our exports are number 2. Heck we buy many goods from China.

That is all I am saying.

China is challenging America’s supremacy.

We cannot continue to send factories to China.