Video: USMC F-35B STOVL Aircraft Conducting Field Carrier Landing Practice

: Posted On Thursday, 14 May 2015 14:34

Focus - USMC F-35B Field Carrier Landing Practice

Video: USMC F-35B STOVL Aircraft Conducting Field Carrier Landing Practice

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) released a video showing F-35B (the short take-off and vertical-landing STOVL variant) pilots performing short take off and vertical landings as part of required flying field carrier landing practices (FCLP). The pilots are from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

F-35B pilots, Maj. Aric Liberman (05 jet) and Capt. Brian Hansell (01 jet), with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., perform short take off and vertical landings as part of required flying field carrier landing practices (FCLP) at the stations auxiliary landing field, Wednesday, May 6, 2015. The landing field simulates the flight deck of an aircraft carrier to prepare pilots for landing and taking off at sea. USMC video by Cpl. Travis Gershaneck

The practice is conducted at ashore facilities to provide pilots the opportunity to simulate carrier-landing operations in an environment where the risks associated with at-sea carrier operations can be safely managed. Field Carrier Landing Practice is a required flight training that precedes and qualifies pilots for carrier-landing operations.

The deck markings painted on conrcrete simulates the flight deck of an amphibious assault ship to prepare pilots for landing and taking off at sea

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) released a video showing F-35B (the short take-off and vertical-landing STOVL variant) pilots performing short take off and vertical landings as part of required flying field carrier landing practices (FCLP). The pilots are from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

USMC F-35B during FCLP

The unit, VMFA-121, will fly to MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina, then will be out at sea with the USS Wasp from May 18 to 29 for the F-35B's first operational test period (OTP).

"It's the first time an operational unit is going to fly from an amphibious ship," said Lt. Col. Steven Gillette, the commanding officer for VMFA-121. "They have already been to this same ship."

An operational test means that the aircraft will be going on actual missions in order to test their suitability and sustainability to the environment at hand.

The "B" variant of the F-35 is set to achieve Initial Operational Capability this summer with the USMC.