The Navy has removed the requirement to land on an aircraft carrier for trainee naval and Marine Corps aviators to get their Wings of Gold. “The final strike carrier landing qualification occurred in March of 2025,” Task and Purpose reported a Navy statement as saying. Students in the strike pipeline, those training to fly FA-18s, F-35s and EA-18Gs, are no longer required to qualify by landing on a carrier prior to graduation. If they are later assigned to a carrier squadron, the training will take place then.
Navy and Marine Corps pilot trainees have traditionally practiced simulated carrier landings for weeks prior to flying to a ship to do it for real. That usually included several traps and catapult launches before they returned to dry land. The carrier landing was considered a rite of passage and bulwarked the claims by those in both arms of the service that they were superior pilots to those in the Air Force and Army. But not all Navy and Marine pilots end up on carriers, and the recently revamped training curriculum reflects that reality.
Apparently “meatball, lineup and angle of attack” is a thing of the past with the newer technology. I’m not familiar with the Magic Carpet system, but I understand it has revolutionized carrier landings; much easier now. Maybe someone who has experience with that system can comment? In one sense, I feel a loss for that rite of passage. But in another, I welcome the safety the newer technology brings. Anything to ease the stress of a moonless and overcast night trap on a pitching deck.
The Navy reports the Magic Carpet system reduces the wear and tear on the carrier aircraft. The system is so good that rookie pilots can catch the 3rd wire on their very first landings when the system is used to assist landings.
Only pilots in the E-2 Hawkeye will go to the boat in the training command now prior to wings.
The Growler Jams videos have shown up in my YouTube feed previously. I really like his videos. Just like riding along with his narration. Besides takeoff and landing, I think the on deck maneuvering and how quickly he passes from deck person to person is interesting. He has to get out of the way quick for someone only 40 seconds behind him, and get into his parking space quick. Even though the ship is huge, it is amazing how closely he is to a line of airplanes on deck when landing.
:sigh:
(116 traps, 29 at night)
I suggest the Navy issue Silver Wings to Non-carrier qualified pilots. When they Qualify as Carrier Pilots they get there Gold Wings.
USN RET non Naval Aviator
Really really sad…wings of gold meant something special…now if a Marine aviator never is assigned to a squadron that is going on a boat deployment they may end their Marine career without a trap. Will not apply to Navy pilots.
This sounds like a cost saving move on the Navy’s part to lessen training expenses. To me, it seems a little short-sighted. What happens in a future crisis when you suddenly need additional pilots for carrier ops, but all of your other assets (pilots) are not qualified. You then have to rush them through qualification training at a time when neither ships nor planes are available for that task. I agree with Mr. Handberg that if there is a difference in capabilities for your pilots, a different set of wings might be appropriate.
USAF now, if you’re going into transports instead of fighters, you bypass T-38 type training.
War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.