Why is stock FA-18 carrier landing so unforgiving?

[Joenavy85]

Well, the drop tests shows that the hornets can withstand vertical decelerations of more than 2000 fpm.

The 770 fmp limit is mostly to prevent damage to the carrier deck, and to prolong the life span of the undercarriage of the aircraft. I would say that any landing in excess of 1000 fpm will definitely damage both the carrier and the aircraft. And considering the airspeed, I'd say anything over 1500 fpm would probably rip the hook off.

where did you hear that?? seems to me that even an empty hornet(27,500 lbs.) at 2000 fpm(22.7 mph) would be more than enough to collapse the landing gear. i know for a fact that it takes a lot to significantly damage the flight deck of a carrier

[Jeff.Guo]

The drop tests are done from 20 feet. That equates to a deceleration of more than 2000 fpm....

...and damage the carrier is not so much as punching a hole through the deck (not that isn't possible), but more along the lines of damaged Anti-skid coating and deck plating.

[Tech Diver]

Sorry to be so picky, but the first sentence should be:
"That equates to a VELOCITY of more than 2000 fpm"

To calculate the DECELERATION we must know what distance the landing gear must contract to absorb the force of momentum, as well as the values of the spring and dashpot (shock absorber) used in the gear.

Peter

[neutrino]

In fact, if it is dropped from 20 feet, at the moment it contacts the ground the speed is exactly 2153 fpm

[Jeff.Guo]

To calculate the DECELERATION we must know what distance the landing gear must contract to absorb the force of momentum, as well as the values of the spring and dashpot (shock absorber) used in the gear.

...which is identical to what it would during a real trap. I'm using the term "deceleration" pretty loosely (fpm isn't even a acceleration unit). Being a stick jockey and not a physicist, I'm only relating to figures that are useful to pilots.

[Tech Diver]

Yes, I understand. Again I apologize for having been so picky, but my degrees are in mechanical engineering and I can't help it due to my precise nature.

[jaime]

Yes, I understand. Again I apologize for having been so picky, but my degrees are in mechanical engineering and I can't help it due to my precise nature.

then wouldn't the correct term for "deceleration" actually be "acceleration in a negative fashion"? sorry, my picky side (and some what technical at times) side is starting to come out...

[Sludge]

Hey Fellas....

What's all the hub-bub about physics and crashing a Hornet onto the deck of a carrier?