Do military bases still employ wheel watchers?
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When I was in the air wing in the '70s, I had the unpleasant opportunity of pulling wheel watch. The unfortunate individual sat in a small shack (maybe 3 x 6 ft.) with a pair of high-powered binoculars ensuring that each and every aircraft on final had their gears down. If not, there were two flare guns pointed at opposite right angles to the runway that had to be fired to warn the pilot off. I know I had to use them on more than one occasion. I think it was a thirty-day hitch. It seems like such a primitive way to ensure the gears were down, and I wonder if it's still being used today?
safety landing runways landing-gear
asked 3 hours ago
BillDOe
789619
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
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When I was in the air wing in the '70s, I had the unpleasant opportunity of pulling wheel watch. The unfortunate individual sat in a small shack (maybe 3 x 6 ft.) with a pair of high-powered binoculars ensuring that each and every aircraft on final had their gears down. If not, there were two flare guns pointed at opposite right angles to the runway that had to be fired to warn the pilot off. I know I had to use them on more than one occasion. I think it was a thirty-day hitch. It seems like such a primitive way to ensure the gears were down, and I wonder if it's still being used today?
safety landing runways landing-gear
asked 3 hours ago
BillDOe
789619
Just out of curiosity, do you remember what the criteria was for firing the flares?
– Terry
3 hours ago
@Terry, simply the inability to see the gears. In the smog of the Los Angeles area in midsummer, it was sometimes difficult to see, so I waved off some planes simply because I couldn't tell if they were down or not.
– BillDOe
3 hours ago
Wheels up landings must be a common problem in the military. ATC always clears military aircraft to land adding, "confirm wheels down."
– TomMcW
3 hours ago
1
Civilian ATC used to say check gear down but stopped some years ago. When I was flying RJs the gear warning horn was a steady double freq tone that sounds exactly like the old TV test pattern sound of long ago. I always thought it was perfect for blending into the background in a high stress situation where the gear was omitted. Fortunately, if that happens the "Too low, gear" GPWS announcement comes farther down to save your butt.. hopefully.
– John K
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
When I was in the air wing in the '70s, I had the unpleasant opportunity of pulling wheel watch. The unfortunate individual sat in a small shack (maybe 3 x 6 ft.) with a pair of high-powered binoculars ensuring that each and every aircraft on final had their gears down. If not, there were two flare guns pointed at opposite right angles to the runway that had to be fired to warn the pilot off. I know I had to use them on more than one occasion. I think it was a thirty-day hitch. It seems like such a primitive way to ensure the gears were down, and I wonder if it's still being used today?
safety landing runways landing-gear
asked 3 hours ago
BillDOe
789619
When I was in the air wing in the '70s, I had the unpleasant opportunity of pulling wheel watch. The unfortunate individual sat in a small shack (maybe 3 x 6 ft.) with a pair of high-powered binoculars ensuring that each and every aircraft on final had their gears down. If not, there were two flare guns pointed at opposite right angles to the runway that had to be fired to warn the pilot off. I know I had to use them on more than one occasion. I think it was a thirty-day hitch. It seems like such a primitive way to ensure the gears were down, and I wonder if it's still being used today?
safety landing runways landing-gear
safety landing runways landing-gear
asked 3 hours ago
BillDOe
789619
asked 3 hours ago
BillDOe
789619
asked 3 hours ago
BillDOe
789619
asked 3 hours ago
BillDOe
789619
asked 3 hours ago
BillDOe
789619
789619
Just out of curiosity, do you remember what the criteria was for firing the flares?
– Terry
3 hours ago
@Terry, simply the inability to see the gears. In the smog of the Los Angeles area in midsummer, it was sometimes difficult to see, so I waved off some planes simply because I couldn't tell if they were down or not.
– BillDOe
3 hours ago
Wheels up landings must be a common problem in the military. ATC always clears military aircraft to land adding, "confirm wheels down."
– TomMcW
3 hours ago
1
Civilian ATC used to say check gear down but stopped some years ago. When I was flying RJs the gear warning horn was a steady double freq tone that sounds exactly like the old TV test pattern sound of long ago. I always thought it was perfect for blending into the background in a high stress situation where the gear was omitted. Fortunately, if that happens the "Too low, gear" GPWS announcement comes farther down to save your butt.. hopefully.
– John K
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
Just out of curiosity, do you remember what the criteria was for firing the flares?
– Terry
3 hours ago
@Terry, simply the inability to see the gears. In the smog of the Los Angeles area in midsummer, it was sometimes difficult to see, so I waved off some planes simply because I couldn't tell if they were down or not.
– BillDOe
3 hours ago
Wheels up landings must be a common problem in the military. ATC always clears military aircraft to land adding, "confirm wheels down."
– TomMcW
3 hours ago
1
Civilian ATC used to say check gear down but stopped some years ago. When I was flying RJs the gear warning horn was a steady double freq tone that sounds exactly like the old TV test pattern sound of long ago. I always thought it was perfect for blending into the background in a high stress situation where the gear was omitted. Fortunately, if that happens the "Too low, gear" GPWS announcement comes farther down to save your butt.. hopefully.
– John K
1 hour ago
Just out of curiosity, do you remember what the criteria was for firing the flares?
– Terry
3 hours ago
Just out of curiosity, do you remember what the criteria was for firing the flares?
– Terry
3 hours ago
@Terry, simply the inability to see the gears. In the smog of the Los Angeles area in midsummer, it was sometimes difficult to see, so I waved off some planes simply because I couldn't tell if they were down or not.
– BillDOe
3 hours ago
@Terry, simply the inability to see the gears. In the smog of the Los Angeles area in midsummer, it was sometimes difficult to see, so I waved off some planes simply because I couldn't tell if they were down or not.
– BillDOe
3 hours ago
Wheels up landings must be a common problem in the military. ATC always clears military aircraft to land adding, "confirm wheels down."
– TomMcW
3 hours ago
Wheels up landings must be a common problem in the military. ATC always clears military aircraft to land adding, "confirm wheels down."
– TomMcW
3 hours ago
1
1
Civilian ATC used to say check gear down but stopped some years ago. When I was flying RJs the gear warning horn was a steady double freq tone that sounds exactly like the old TV test pattern sound of long ago. I always thought it was perfect for blending into the background in a high stress situation where the gear was omitted. Fortunately, if that happens the "Too low, gear" GPWS announcement comes farther down to save your butt.. hopefully.
– John K
1 hour ago
Civilian ATC used to say check gear down but stopped some years ago. When I was flying RJs the gear warning horn was a steady double freq tone that sounds exactly like the old TV test pattern sound of long ago. I always thought it was perfect for blending into the background in a high stress situation where the gear was omitted. Fortunately, if that happens the "Too low, gear" GPWS announcement comes farther down to save your butt.. hopefully.
– John K
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
No
They do not continue this practice anymore. This is likely because landing gear are more reliable now than they were in the 70's. There is also the practice of Air Traffic Control prompting military pilots to check their gear is down, by verbally adding "Check Gear Down" to their landing clearance.
Source: Checked in with some of the Air Force / Air National Guard pilots in the office. They're not aware of any such practice and decided it must have been before their time. Oldest pilot started in the 90's, so that leaves you with a 20 year gap where they abolished the practice.
answered 2 hours ago
Matt
61015
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
In the early 1990s the Navy used to deploy instructor and student pilots to perform wheels watch at outlying fields that were NOT tower controlled, and where student solo pilots would practice landings during primary flight training in the T-34C. Without an instructor or tower this practice made sense. I cannot speak to whether or not it is on-going or not.
Once complete with primary training, any landing practice at non-tower controlled outlying fields would be done with a carrier Landing Signals Officer on station. The LSO would note trends, grade all landings and also function as a wheels watch, although wheels watch wasn't the primary purpose.
During 20 years spanning the mid 1980s to early 2000s I was never aware of any wheels watch at a tower controlled military airfield, but that's not to say it didn't happen somewhere.
answered 32 mins ago
Michael Hall
21426
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
No
They do not continue this practice anymore. This is likely because landing gear are more reliable now than they were in the 70's. There is also the practice of Air Traffic Control prompting military pilots to check their gear is down, by verbally adding "Check Gear Down" to their landing clearance.
Source: Checked in with some of the Air Force / Air National Guard pilots in the office. They're not aware of any such practice and decided it must have been before their time. Oldest pilot started in the 90's, so that leaves you with a 20 year gap where they abolished the practice.
answered 2 hours ago
Matt
61015
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
No
They do not continue this practice anymore. This is likely because landing gear are more reliable now than they were in the 70's. There is also the practice of Air Traffic Control prompting military pilots to check their gear is down, by verbally adding "Check Gear Down" to their landing clearance.
Source: Checked in with some of the Air Force / Air National Guard pilots in the office. They're not aware of any such practice and decided it must have been before their time. Oldest pilot started in the 90's, so that leaves you with a 20 year gap where they abolished the practice.
answered 2 hours ago
Matt
61015
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
No
They do not continue this practice anymore. This is likely because landing gear are more reliable now than they were in the 70's. There is also the practice of Air Traffic Control prompting military pilots to check their gear is down, by verbally adding "Check Gear Down" to their landing clearance.
Source: Checked in with some of the Air Force / Air National Guard pilots in the office. They're not aware of any such practice and decided it must have been before their time. Oldest pilot started in the 90's, so that leaves you with a 20 year gap where they abolished the practice.
answered 2 hours ago
Matt
61015
No
They do not continue this practice anymore. This is likely because landing gear are more reliable now than they were in the 70's. There is also the practice of Air Traffic Control prompting military pilots to check their gear is down, by verbally adding "Check Gear Down" to their landing clearance.
Source: Checked in with some of the Air Force / Air National Guard pilots in the office. They're not aware of any such practice and decided it must have been before their time. Oldest pilot started in the 90's, so that leaves you with a 20 year gap where they abolished the practice.
answered 2 hours ago
Matt
61015
answered 2 hours ago
Matt
61015
answered 2 hours ago
Matt
61015
answered 2 hours ago
Matt
61015
61015
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
In the early 1990s the Navy used to deploy instructor and student pilots to perform wheels watch at outlying fields that were NOT tower controlled, and where student solo pilots would practice landings during primary flight training in the T-34C. Without an instructor or tower this practice made sense. I cannot speak to whether or not it is on-going or not.
Once complete with primary training, any landing practice at non-tower controlled outlying fields would be done with a carrier Landing Signals Officer on station. The LSO would note trends, grade all landings and also function as a wheels watch, although wheels watch wasn't the primary purpose.
During 20 years spanning the mid 1980s to early 2000s I was never aware of any wheels watch at a tower controlled military airfield, but that's not to say it didn't happen somewhere.
answered 32 mins ago
Michael Hall
21426
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
In the early 1990s the Navy used to deploy instructor and student pilots to perform wheels watch at outlying fields that were NOT tower controlled, and where student solo pilots would practice landings during primary flight training in the T-34C. Without an instructor or tower this practice made sense. I cannot speak to whether or not it is on-going or not.
Once complete with primary training, any landing practice at non-tower controlled outlying fields would be done with a carrier Landing Signals Officer on station. The LSO would note trends, grade all landings and also function as a wheels watch, although wheels watch wasn't the primary purpose.
During 20 years spanning the mid 1980s to early 2000s I was never aware of any wheels watch at a tower controlled military airfield, but that's not to say it didn't happen somewhere.
answered 32 mins ago
Michael Hall
21426
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
In the early 1990s the Navy used to deploy instructor and student pilots to perform wheels watch at outlying fields that were NOT tower controlled, and where student solo pilots would practice landings during primary flight training in the T-34C. Without an instructor or tower this practice made sense. I cannot speak to whether or not it is on-going or not.
Once complete with primary training, any landing practice at non-tower controlled outlying fields would be done with a carrier Landing Signals Officer on station. The LSO would note trends, grade all landings and also function as a wheels watch, although wheels watch wasn't the primary purpose.
During 20 years spanning the mid 1980s to early 2000s I was never aware of any wheels watch at a tower controlled military airfield, but that's not to say it didn't happen somewhere.
answered 32 mins ago
Michael Hall
21426
In the early 1990s the Navy used to deploy instructor and student pilots to perform wheels watch at outlying fields that were NOT tower controlled, and where student solo pilots would practice landings during primary flight training in the T-34C. Without an instructor or tower this practice made sense. I cannot speak to whether or not it is on-going or not.
Once complete with primary training, any landing practice at non-tower controlled outlying fields would be done with a carrier Landing Signals Officer on station. The LSO would note trends, grade all landings and also function as a wheels watch, although wheels watch wasn't the primary purpose.
During 20 years spanning the mid 1980s to early 2000s I was never aware of any wheels watch at a tower controlled military airfield, but that's not to say it didn't happen somewhere.
answered 32 mins ago
Michael Hall
21426
answered 32 mins ago
Michael Hall
21426
answered 32 mins ago
Michael Hall
21426
answered 32 mins ago
Michael Hall
21426
21426
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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Just out of curiosity, do you remember what the criteria was for firing the flares?
– Terry
3 hours ago
@Terry, simply the inability to see the gears. In the smog of the Los Angeles area in midsummer, it was sometimes difficult to see, so I waved off some planes simply because I couldn't tell if they were down or not.
– BillDOe
3 hours ago
Wheels up landings must be a common problem in the military. ATC always clears military aircraft to land adding, "confirm wheels down."
– TomMcW
3 hours ago
1
Civilian ATC used to say check gear down but stopped some years ago. When I was flying RJs the gear warning horn was a steady double freq tone that sounds exactly like the old TV test pattern sound of long ago. I always thought it was perfect for blending into the background in a high stress situation where the gear was omitted. Fortunately, if that happens the "Too low, gear" GPWS announcement comes farther down to save your butt.. hopefully.
– John K
1 hour ago