This beautiful photo gives you a very different perspective of a typical trap landing.
Taken on Oct. 23, this cool photo features an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Sharpshooters of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101 catching an arresting gear cable as it lands onto USS John C. Stennis’ (CVN 74) flight deck.
Stennis’ crew is currently conducting fleet replacement squadron (FRS) carrier qualifications (CQ), which consists of both day and night operations.
While regular flight operations can involve launching 2-3 aircraft at a time with 1-2 hours between launches, fleet replacement squadron CQ is a 12-hour continuous flight evolution.
In order for FRS pilots to qualify and advance into a fleet squadron the pilot must successfully complete six landings during the day and four landings during the night aboard an aircraft carrier.
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Image credit: U.S. Navy
