Very Chuck-esque dream, but I ponder the possibility of this in reality? Pilot in emergency could maybe call a carrier on 121.5 and be cleared to land (or attempt to). A 172 could surely take off from a carrier steaming full ahead into the wind, no catapult needed. But probably wouldn’t be allowed to, too risky, the pilot would be detained until returning to port, plane offloaded by crane. Also doubt you’d find a single drop of Avgas on a carrier.
Next step in proper procedure will be, of course, the rendezvous with a heavy aircraft-maintenance helicopter, for in-flight repair of catapult-induced structural damage.
Very Chuck-esque dream, but I ponder the possibility of this in reality? Pilot in emergency could maybe call a carrier on 121.5 and be cleared to land (or attempt to). A 172 could surely take off from a carrier steaming full ahead into the wind, no catapult needed. But probably wouldn’t be allowed to, too risky, the pilot would be detained until returning to port, plane offloaded by crane. Also doubt you’d find a single drop of Avgas on a carrier.
Next step in proper procedure will be, of course, the rendezvous with a heavy aircraft-maintenance helicopter, for in-flight repair of catapult-induced structural damage.