Carrier Qualifications

Occasionally we like to bring in Vince’s carrier deck and zip line so that we can set up a mock carrier approach and landing. Models are hooked to the zip line at the modeler end and the other end is connected to the landing area forward of the wires. The modeler releases the model and raises or lowers the zip line to adjust approach angle and speed. The objective is to catch one of the wires, an “OK” means a trap (landing) without damage.

The recommendations for building a “carrier qual model” are below:

1) requires a tall hook. Recommend something strong and epoxied inside the fuselage and not just the exit point (I used coat hangar wire throughout).

2) requires at least 1 overhead hook to ride the guy wire to the deck. I recommend 2; one forwards and one aft to maintain a good angle of attack (nose up) to approach deck and ‘trap’. I also recommend epoxy use within fuselage for strength. 

3) MUST add lots of weight to the model so it will go down the wire even at a slight slope angle from the modeler (pilot) to the deck. 

4) I recommend reinforcing items that will absorb abuse for this event such as main, nose, and tail struts and tires. In my Skyraider the main and tail wheel struts are coat hangar wire bent to shape. The main gear are one continuous length from left to right with an “S” bend at the center epoxied in place to prevent forward or backward pressure from twisting the wires free of the epoxy. The tail hook and tail strut are 1 wire, and the forward and aft hanging wire is one continuous length as well.  All this is for strength and keeping the AoA constant regardless of guy wire angle.