Landing on a carrier during a thunderstorm

[shiro_amada_jp]

I tried landing an A6M Zero on a carrier during a thunderstorm. Although I managed to get the plane on the deck, I had a difficult time correcting the plane's orientation during the final approach as the winds would blow it off to the starboard side of the ship. I had to use extensive left rudder input to correct the approach.

My questions: is there any systematic way to land a plane on a carrier during weather conditions like the ones I simulated (high winds, low visibility)? Is it acceptable to align the plane on the port side of the carrier during final approach and just let it "drift" towards the center, while correcting its heading constantly using the rudder?

 

[wheelsup_cavu]

If I land it on the deck in one piece under those conditions I am happy.
One of the problems is that there is not an LSO to help guide you in so you just have to go by your best judgement to get it on the deck.


Wheels

 

[JimmyS1985]

Havent tried carrier landings in high wind/low visibility. For me, I find dead of night landing with an F4U-1D Corsair on an escort carrier in clear conditions plenty difficult, I manage to do it about half the time, the other half I die.

 

[razor1uk]

I do miss the LSO of CFS2...

 

[jrw1238]

I tried landing an A6M Zero on a carrier during a thunderstorm. Although I managed to get the plane on the deck, I had a difficult time correcting the plane's orientation during the final approach as the winds would blow it off to the starboard side of the ship. I had to use extensive left rudder input to correct the approach.

My questions: is there any systematic way to land a plane on a carrier during weather conditions like the ones I simulated (high winds, low visibility)? Is it acceptable to align the plane on the port side of the carrier during final approach and just let it "drift" towards the center, while correcting its heading constantly using the rudder?

Since you got it down in those conditions I think you did everything right.

 

[wheelsup_cavu]

I do miss the LSO of CFS2...

Check out UP3.0 for IL-2 1946 at Special Aircraft Service, I believe it has an LSO mod as part of the package.


Wheels