Light twin meets arrestor cables

[RadicalRadial]

Last weekend I took the boss down to cold lake in the baron for the airshow. About 5 miles out, the tower advised me that the Arrestor cables were up. I was surprised to see it so far down the runway but I didn't have any problem landing past it. Seeing them for the first time naturally brought to my imagination, what would happen if a light twin like a baron actually hit one??? That thing looked thick and it was suspended across the width of the runway probably indicating that it is under extreme tension. Bye bye landing gear?

[Nark]

Most likely a firm bump. Nothing major, maybe..

The cable itself is roughly 1-3/4" thick.
For Hornet engagement (and 99% of other tailhookers) they need 2-1/2 to 4 inch suspension (the cable). I've been asked to memorize different numbers lately, so don't shoot me if I'm off by 1/2 inch.

The cable is under condierable tension(500-800psi), but designed to be broken when the hook firmly "catches".

[co-joe]

Maybe, but the dozens of times I landed at YOD in the 200 we never once tested that firm bump theory. Always landed past the arrival end cable if it was "up". Anyone ever taxi over them or land prior to them and feel that bump?

[FICU]

Very slow taxi in a 737 and going over the cable was definitely felt. The ruts on taxiway B at YEG are getting close to the same.

[PilotDAR]

I landed a borrowed 182 in Tucson, Arizona. The runway has a well marked displaced threshold. I didn't usually pay too much attention to displaced thresholds, as often the are for glide path obstructions - visual approach, I'll find my way. However, behaving at a new airport, I aimed for the touchdown zone, and in doing so, over flew arrestor cables within the displaced threshold. Now I pay more attention to runway markings!

[Bede]

The ruts on taxiway B at YEG are getting close to the same.

lol. So true, but at least YEG has a terminal that somewhat resembles the inside of a colon.

Back on topic. I ran over a set in a Navajo many years ago. It's just a bump.

[Nark]

You have to understand there are 2 positions, either lifted (in "battery")or lying flat.

Lifted off the deck, they could pose a problem. Depending on your wheel diameter. The F-18 routinely rolls over it without any issue, before the hook being engaged. This is called a roll-on engagement.

If Bubba is shit-hot, he can approach and miss the wire with the wheels, but still engage the arresting cable. Think of a perfect ILS approach to touchdown. (Actually they purposely fly the ball a little high to do this)

Military airfields who luanch tactical aircraft tend to have 1 or more gear in battery just in case bubba has to reject the takeoff, he can catch he downfield gear. Either the last 3rd or departure end threshold.

The location of the arresting gear is marked by a series of yellow circles, in addition to a lighted yellow sign adjacent the gear.

[oldtimer]

I forgot about the cable once in a Navajo and touched down prior to the cable but only with the main wheels and it was a slight bump. A little more pronounced at a slow taxi speed at the other end.

[floydfrank]

You have to understand there are 2 positions, either lifted (in "battery")or lying flat.

Lifted off the deck, they could pose a problem. Depending on your wheel diameter. The F-18 routinely rolls over it without any issue, before the hook being engaged. This is called a roll-on engagement.

If Bubba is shit-hot, he can approach and miss the wire with the wheels, but still engage the arresting cable. Think of a perfect ILS approach to touchdown. (Actually they purposely fly the ball a little high to do this)

Military airfields who luanch tactical aircraft tend to have 1 or more gear in battery just in case bubba has to reject the takeoff, he can catch he downfield gear. Either the last 3rd or departure end threshold.

The location of the arresting gear is marked by a series of yellow circles, in addition to a lighted yellow sign adjacent the gear.

So does bubba have to jam the power to the wall on the touch like on a carrier??

[AuxBatOn]

No