by Leonard "Viking1" Hjalmarson

Now it was my turn! As I looked frantically about the cockpit for the engine controls I noticed that my left DDI had what appeared to be a takeoff checklist. Hey! Somebody was thinking when they designed this thing!

My next discovery was a switch labelled APU (Aux Power Unit) in the lower left cockpit. I clicked it ON and then flipped on the Left and Right engine switches and heard myself report that I was powering up. I knew enough to turn on the wheel brakes and I also knew which key it was. The Plane Director was very pleased.

I opened the throttle slightly and released the brakes and taxied forward, hitting the brake switch off and on to control my speed. When I got very close to the Plane Director (Do these guys carry plenty of insurance?) he raised the light sticks over his head and crossed em for good luck! (Hey, joking ok!)

Since I had successfully stopped the Hornet, he lowered the sticks to his side and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. As I sat there wondering what to do next I realized I was in big trouble. I had no idea!

Hmm. As I pondered I began to wonder about flaps. I found the key required and put my flaps at half extended position. No go, my Director was still waiting for me to do something else. I wondered what would happen if I continued forward...

I killed him. Yes, I am probably facing a court martial. Realizing what I had done I hit full burners and tried to get off the deck. Bad move. Ah well, I consulted the manual and discovered I needed to extend the Launch Bar.

Back on deck, I followed procedure. This time the Plane Director waved me forward. Up ahead I saw another deck officer with his arms raised (probably praying.)

Click to continue

Now in position and on the CAT, I notice a couple of CAT crew run over to my Hornet and are doing something.

Finally, they quit making weird motions, and in position and on the CAT, the Plane Director can get out of the way.

This is a GOOD THING™ since now I can do my thing and light the burners. I do so and hear myself call that the burners are lit.

I roll along the deck, accelerating to 165 knots in 2 seconds. Barely able to breathe and wondering why I test these things anyway, I am suddenly rewarded by the heart stopping experience of becoming airborne off the deck of the Ronald Reagan.

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