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Story
September 30, 1955
Clinch Valley News
Tazewell, Jeffersonville, Tazewell County, Virginia
What is this article about?
The US Navy tested a new British-developed aircraft landing system using mirrors and lights on the USS Bennington last month, potentially replacing Landing Signal Officers by providing precise visual cues for pilots.
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NEW SYSTEM FOR LANDING AIRCRAFT.
A new system of landing aircraft at sea with mirrors and colored lights underwent its first test last month on the Navy attack aircraft, USS Bennington.
Based on an idea developed by the British Navy, the new landing system consists of a large concave mirror and banks of green and amber lights mounted on the port side of a carrier's angled flight deck.
About 150 feet astern of the mirror is another row of lights amber in color, which are reflected as an image or "blob" of light.
It is the image in reflection to side reference lights which the pilot sees when making a landing.
As the pilot approaches the flight deck for a landing, the position of the lights and an image in the mirror indicate whether or his glide path, speed and altitude are in proper relation to each other for a safe landing.
The new system, for both day and night operations, is known as the "deck landing mirror sight".
The combination may eventually replace the Landing Signal Officer who now brings the pilot and his aircraft to a landing with the use of hand-held paddles or lights.
According to Navy Cdr. Americo J. Vescovi, Project Officer for the tests, the new system not only reduces the element of human error but also gives quick and accurate signals to the pilot-literally with the speed of light. It also allows the pilot to pick up a reference signal at a far greater
A new system of landing aircraft at sea with mirrors and colored lights underwent its first test last month on the Navy attack aircraft, USS Bennington.
Based on an idea developed by the British Navy, the new landing system consists of a large concave mirror and banks of green and amber lights mounted on the port side of a carrier's angled flight deck.
About 150 feet astern of the mirror is another row of lights amber in color, which are reflected as an image or "blob" of light.
It is the image in reflection to side reference lights which the pilot sees when making a landing.
As the pilot approaches the flight deck for a landing, the position of the lights and an image in the mirror indicate whether or his glide path, speed and altitude are in proper relation to each other for a safe landing.
The new system, for both day and night operations, is known as the "deck landing mirror sight".
The combination may eventually replace the Landing Signal Officer who now brings the pilot and his aircraft to a landing with the use of hand-held paddles or lights.
According to Navy Cdr. Americo J. Vescovi, Project Officer for the tests, the new system not only reduces the element of human error but also gives quick and accurate signals to the pilot-literally with the speed of light. It also allows the pilot to pick up a reference signal at a far greater
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Exploration
What keywords are associated?
Aircraft Landing
Navy Test
Mirror Sight
Uss Bennington
British Navy Idea
What entities or persons were involved?
Americo J. Vescovi
Where did it happen?
Uss Bennington
Story Details
Key Persons
Americo J. Vescovi
Location
Uss Bennington
Event Date
Last Month
Story Details
A new mirror and light-based system for landing aircraft on carriers was tested on the USS Bennington, providing visual cues for pilots' glide path, speed, and altitude to ensure safe landings, potentially replacing human signal officers.