"Naval Air: China Achieves Night Trap" Topic

"A Chinese aviator, flying a Chinese made J-15 fighter, made the first night landing on a carrier. This is a remarkable achievement. These landings, called "night traps", are considered the most difficult task any aviator can carry out, especially in rough weather. By early 2018 China had nearly 40 aviators qualified for daytime takeoffs and landings but apparently only one of them, so far, has mastered the night trap.

A Chinese aviator made the first daytime landing and takeoff from a Chinese aircraft carrier in November 2012. The first Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning (CV-16) entered service in September 2012. This is a 65,000 ton, 305 meter (999 feet) long ship that had spent over a year on sea trials. During that time Liaoning was at sea for about four months. This was all in preparation for flight operations. In 2011 China confirmed that the Liaoning will primarily be a training carrier. The Chinese apparently plan to station up to 24 jet fighters and 26 helicopters on the Liaoning and use the ship to train pilots and other specialists for four or more additional carriers. A second Chinese carrier (CV-17) is an improved Liaoning, displaces 70,000 tons and will enter service by early 2019. CV-17 can carry 32 J-15s and ten helicopters. A third carrier, the 85,000 ton CV-18 is of a new design and under construction and expected to enter service in 2023. At that point, China will need at least 200 fully qualified (day and night operations) jet aircraft aviators to get the most out of their carrier force…."
Main page
link

Amicalement
Armand

Without killing someone! that's always a major accomplishment (The US does not always manage to keep everyone alive).

Well done, sir, I'll buy you a beer if we ever meet!

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Okay, now do that in rough seas, variable winds, with no moon, and with the lights off on deck.

They're working on it. Gotta crawl before you can walk, and walk before you can run.