Carrier USS Nimitz completes PAS flight deck certification to prepare for pilot qualification operations

USS Nimitz, shown here, completed PALS flight deck certification. (Michael Fabey)

Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) completed its Precision Approach Landing Systems (PALS) certification, the US Navy (USN) confirmed in an 8 October statement.

Nimitz completed the PALS certification between 5 October and 8 October during its underway since completing a homeport shift to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, the USN said.

PALS is supported by the ship's combat systems department and Carrier Air Traffic Controller Center (CATCC) and aids pilots as they execute night or bad-weather landings, guiding pilots to a good starting position for approaches; and is a requirement for ships to conduct flight operations, the USN noted in its statement.

The certification and on-board sailor training readies Nimitz for future underway periods such as those in support of US East Coast carrier qualifications (CQ), the USN said.

Nimitz is part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 and is scheduled to conduct multiple upcoming CQs in support of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, the USN said, adding that CQ's are an important milestone in the training of student naval aviators, serving as their first opportunity to land on the flight deck of an operational aircraft carrier.

For more, please see: Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz considered for training ship operations