NSS - Flight Deck Operations

Signal Flags

Hotel: Helicopter ops Foxtrot: Fixed-Wing ops

Jacket and Cranial Colors for Flight Quarters Personnel

LSE: YELLOW Chock & Chain: BLUE Fueling Team: PURPLE Crash and Salvage Team: RED LSO: WHITE

NATOPS

Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization Provides flight envelopes, limitations, and emergency rescue info

NVG

Night Vision Goggles Operations: Utilized by pilots and LSE; Nav lights must be dimmed, and stern lights MUST be blue

Flight Deck Status

RED: Ship can move freely, air ops NOT permitted AMBER: Helo is being traversed or repositioned on flight deck (ex. via RAST) GREEN: Ship MUST maintain course and speed, take off and landing PERMITTED

RAST

Recovery, Assist, Securing, and Traversing System Assists helos in landing on CGs and DDGs (Flight IIA) during high sea states

SGSI

Stabilized Glide Scope Indicator Color of light indicates to pilot if they are: GREEN: Above RED: Below AMBER: Proper glide slope

TACAN

Tactical Air Navigator Radio NAV System beacon on ship providing pilots with distance and bearing to the parent ship; located on main mast

Flight Quarters Personnel and Responsibilities

Chock & Chain Personnel: Secures helo to deck after landing; reports to LSE Fueling Team: Fuels helos and maintains fueling rigs Crash and Salvage Team: Rescues personnel and fights fires on flight deck LSO (Landing Safety Officer): Responsible for general safety of all flight deck ops TAO/CICWO: Responsible to OOD for helo airborne control (EXCEPT launch and landing) HCO (Helo Control Officer): Supervises all flight operations, controls helos during launch and landing; sits in the HCS (Helo Control Station) LSE (Landing Signalman Enlisted): Visually signals to the pilot during takeoff, landing, and approach

FOD Walkdown

Flight deck crew walks down deck, inspecting surface for any debris

HIFR

Helo In-Flight Refueling Conducted when flight deck is fouled due to VERTREP or rough seas