Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers

Plan and direct the operation and maintenance of catapults, arresting gear, and associated mechanical, hydraulic, and control systems involved primarily in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations. Duties include supervision of readiness and safety of arresting gear, launching equipment, barricades, and visual landing aid systems; planning and coordinating the design, development, and testing of launch and recovery systems; preparing specifications for catapult and arresting gear installations; evaluating design proposals; determining handling equipment needed for new aircraft; preparing technical data and instructions for operation of landing aids; and training personnel in carrier takeoff and landing procedures.

Median Annual Pay

Training Time

4-5 years

AI Resilience

🟠In Transition

Education

Bachelor's degree

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💡Inside This Career

The launch and recovery officer directs flight deck operations—managing the complex choreography of aircraft launch and recovery on carriers and air stations. A typical duty period centers on flight operations. Perhaps 60% of time involves deck operations: directing launches, managing recoveries, coordinating aircraft movement, ensuring safety. Another 25% addresses planning—scheduling operations, briefing crews, managing maintenance coordination. The remaining time covers training and administrative duties.

People who thrive as launch and recovery officers combine technical knowledge with decisive leadership and the composure that high-tempo operations demand. Successful officers develop proficiency with launch and recovery systems while building the authority that deck control requires. They must coordinate multiple aircraft and personnel in dangerous environments. Those who struggle often cannot handle the intensity of flight operations or find the risk exposure stressful. Others fail because they cannot make the rapid decisions that deck emergencies require.

Launch and recovery represents specialized naval aviation, with officers directing the operations that carrier aviation depends on. The field serves the Navy's carrier and Marine Corps aviation operations. These officers appear in discussions of naval aviation, carrier operations, and the specialized officers who manage flight deck dynamics.

Practitioners cite the operations and the importance as primary rewards. Flight deck operations are among the most dynamic in the military. The responsibility for safe launches and recoveries is meaningful. The technical mastery is valued. The camaraderie of carrier aviation is strong. Career progression in naval aviation exists. The visual spectacle of operations is compelling. Common frustrations include the danger and the deployment. Many find that flight deck work is inherently dangerous. Carrier deployments are lengthy and demanding. The pace during flight operations is relentless. Weather adds complexity. Mistakes have severe consequences.

This career requires naval commissioning and specialized training. Strong technical knowledge, decisive leadership, and composure are essential. The role suits those attracted to naval aviation's intensity. It is poorly suited to those uncomfortable with risk, wanting shore-based careers, or unable to tolerate deployment cycles. Compensation includes military pay and benefits.