Figure 1-14.-Arresting gear installation.

Figure 1-15.-Nose gear launch equipment.

CATAPULT EQUIPMENT Carrier aircraft are equipped with facilities for catapulting the aircraft off the aircraft carrier. This equipment consists of nose-toe launch equipment. The older aircraft have hooks that are designed to accommodate the cable bridle, which is used to hook the aircraft to the ships catapult. The holdback assembly allows the aircraft to be secured to the carrier deck for full-power turnup of the engine prior to takeoff. The holdback tension bar separates when the catapult is fired and allows the aircraft to be launched with the engine at full power.

For nose gear equipment, a track is attached to the deck to guide the nosewheel into position. See figure 1-15. The track also has provisions for attaching the nose

Figure 1-16.-H-3 helicopter.

gear to the catapult shuttle and for holdback. In comparison with the bridle and holdback pendant method of catapult hookup for launching, the nose gear launch equipment requires fewer personnel, the hookup is accomplished more safely, and time is saved in positioning an aircraft for launch.