Drafted — not technically validated
Record revision 2 · Marshal, platform, the groove and the ball: the Navy's shipboard words, and where they differ from the brevity list.
Definitions are quoted or closely paraphrased from the source named with each word. Meanings change between editions and theatres; the brief and the current publications take precedence.
The carrier vocabulary
Carrier aviation has its own vocabulary. These are the words a pilot hears in the marshal stack, on the approach and on the ball, as the Navy’s air traffic controller training manual and its carrier training glossary define them. [1] [3]
Several of these words are also multi-service brevity words with a different meaning. Bingo is the clearest case: aboard ship it is an order to divert to a shore field, while the brevity word is only a pre-briefed fuel state. Buster, Bullseye, Chicks and Pigeons differ too. Each note says how. [1] [3] [4]
The Navy glossary covers amphibious assault ships (LHA and LHD) as well as carriers; where the two differ, as for the 10-nm and 12-nm fixes after platform, both are given. [1]
The flight deck words, from the catapult’s holdback and shuttle to the foul line and the lens, come from the Navy’s T-45 carrier qualification glossary, and the tanker words from the controller manual’s tanking table. [5] [8] Helicopter deck words such as the LSE, the Charlie pattern and deck landing qualification come from the Army’s shipboard operations manual, written for Army crews landing on Navy ships. [6]
73 terms
- AATCC
Amphibious air traffic control center. The air traffic control agency of an amphibious assault ship (LHA or LHD), which controls departing and recovering aircraft, provides instrument approach and departure control, and keeps track of airborne helicopters in an amphibious assault.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-2
- Air Boss
The officer, located in PriFly, in charge of all flight deck and tower operations within 10 nautical miles of the ship.
The Navy's controller manual calls the same officer the Air Officer, who sets the case of departure and recovery. [1]
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 65
- Alibis
Aircraft maintenance discrepancies, passed to the Strike controller at check-in for relay to the squadron's ready room.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. 2-11
- Angels
Altitude in thousands of feet.
The multi-service brevity word ANGELS adds that it is the height of friendly aircraft above mean sea level. [4] For helicopters ships use Cherubs, in hundreds of feet.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-2
- Axial winds
Winds down the ship's long axis created by its forward movement. They cause a right-to-left crosswind across the angled deck.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 65
- Ball
A pilot report indicating that the visual landing aid is in sight. The ball itself is the bar of light the optical landing system shows the pilot: level with the green datum lights on the glide slope, above them when high and below them when low, with a red bottom cell to warn of a low approach.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-2; [2] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 5-52
- Base Recovery Course (BRC)
The ship's magnetic heading during flight operations.
Not the landing heading: the final bearing is an extension of the angled landing area's centerline. [1]
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-2
- Bingo
An order to proceed to and land at the field specified by the use of a bingo profile. The aircraft is in an emergency or fuel critical situation.
In the multi-service brevity list BINGO is the pre-briefed fuel state needed for recovery, which need not mean a divert. [4]
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-2
- Bingo
The minimum fuel state required to divert safely to the nearest suitable field. Bingo is an emergency situation; the bingo fuel state depends on the aircraft type.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. A-1
- Bolter
A touchdown on the carrier in which the arresting hook does not engage the arresting wires.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. A-1
- Bullseye
A term referring to the Independent Landing Monitor (ILM).
Unrelated to the multi-service brevity word BULLSEYE, a reference point for positions given by bearing and range. [4]
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-2
- Bullseye
The instrument carrier landing system (ICLS) display. A controller who loses the ACLS lock directs “fly the bullseye” until the lock is regained.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. 1-10; [3] CNATRA P-816, p. 2-23
- Buster
An order given to an aircraft to proceed at maximum speed.
Navy carrier training adds “generally for an immediate Charlie”. [3] The multi-service brevity word BUSTER is maximum continuous speed (military power), and GATE is afterburner. [4]
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-2
- Button
A frequency selection, as in “Approach button 18”.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. 2-21
- Case I, II and III
Weather criteria for carrier operations. Case I: ceiling no lower than 3,000 feet and visibility not less than 5 miles. Case II: ceiling no lower than 1,000 feet and visibility not less than 5 miles. Case III: ceiling below 1,000 feet or visibility less than 5 miles.
Navy carrier training adds that Case III is used at night, and that Case I recoveries marshal overhead the ship and enter the pattern via the break. [3] Amphibious assault ships use the same fixed-wing figures, and lower ones for helicopters. [1]
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-9; [3] CNATRA P-816, p. A-2
- CATCC
Carrier air traffic control center. The carrier's central agency for the status of all its air operations and the control of airborne aircraft other than those controlled by the combat direction center and the Air Officer.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-3
- CCA
Carrier control area. All airspace within 50 nautical miles of the carrier; the carrier air traffic control center controls airborne aircraft within it that are not under the control of the tower.
P-816 also uses CCA for a carrier controlled approach, the ACLS Mode III talk-down, which is akin to a ground-controlled approach. [3]
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. 1-3
- Charlie
Signal for aircraft to land aboard the ship. A number suffix indicates time delay before landing.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-3
- Charlie
The time the first aircraft is expected at the ramp. A “Charlie” or “Charlie on arrival” call is a directive to enter the pattern now; “Charlie five” means be at the ramp in five minutes.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. A-2
- Charlie pattern
The landing pattern for aircraft cleared to land aboard an amphibious ship or carrier, a left-hand racetrack on the ship's port side whose upwind leg parallels the BRC.
Source: [6] FM 1-564, p. 5-15
- Cherubs
Altitude in hundreds of feet (applies only to helicopters).
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-3
- Chicks
Wingmen in a flight.
The multi-service brevity word CHICK(S) means friendly aircraft in general. [4]
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. A-2
- Clara
A pilot's transmission meaning they do not have the visual landing aid (ball) in sight.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-3
- Commencing
The report a pilot makes on leaving the marshal fix to start the approach, with the altimeter setting and fuel state.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, pp. 2-26–2-27
- Cross-Deck Pendant
Arresting gear wire. Three or four span the landing area, numbered from aft to forward; the aftmost is the one wire. A touchdown in which the hook engages none of them is a bolter.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, pp. A-2, 1-7, A-1
- Cut lights
Green lights mounted in a row above the lens box and controlled by the LSO. Under zip lip, EMCON or a radio failure they clear the pilot to land in place of “Roger ball”; lit again they call for power, and alternated with the waveoff lights they signal bingo.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, pp. 3, 23, 66
- Deck landing qualification (DLQ)
Deck landing qualification. The training and landings that qualify an aviator to land on a ship's flight deck, and the currency that keeps the qualification valid.
For Army aviators the rules come from a 1988 Army, Air Force and Navy agreement. [6]
Source: [6] FM 1-564, 1-11–1-13, Glossary
- Delta
A signal given to hold and conserve fuel at an altitude and position appropriate to the type of aircraft and case recovery in effect.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-4
- Divert
An order for an aircraft to proceed to and land at the field specified. This is a nonemergency situation.
Compare Bingo, which the same glossary defines as an emergency or fuel-critical order. [1]
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-4
- Feet Wet/Dry
Feet dry: a pilot report that the aircraft is passing over the shoreline and proceeding over land. Feet wet: passing over the shoreline and proceeding over water.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-4
- Field deck landing practice (FDLP)
Field deck landing practice. Practice landings ashore to a spot painted with ship flight deck markings, flown before deck landing qualification at sea.
Source: [6] FM 1-564, 1-12, 1-14, Glossary
- Final Bearing
The magnetic bearing assigned by CATCC or AATCC for final approach, an extension of the landing area centerline.
Navy carrier training adds that it is usually the BRC minus the landing area angle of 10°. [3]
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-4
- Foul deck
The landing area is not free of all obstructions, or the flight deck is not ready to recover aircraft.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 66
- Foul line
A line painted on both sides of a carrier's landing area marking the minimum area that must be free of obstructions for the deck to be clear.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 66
- Fresnel lens optical landing system (FLOLS)
Fresnel lens optical landing system. The pilot's landing aid that projects the meatball: a box of five light cells, the bottom one red, between rows of green datum lights, with cut lights above and waveoff lights each side. Its cells cover 1.5° vertically.
The improved Fresnel lens (IFLOLS) has twelve cells over 1.7° and can be read out to 1.5 NM, against 0.75 NM for the FLOLS. [5]
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, pp. 3, 6, 66
- Give
The amount of fuel a tanker has to transfer to other aircraft.
Source: [8] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-44
- Groove
The final, straight-in part of the carrier approach, flown on the ball. The glossary divides it into thirds: the start, the middle and in close. The pilot makes the ball call when rolling into the groove.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, pp. A-4, A-6, 2-18
- Hawk
An order to a tanker pilot to keep a low-state aircraft on approach in sight and be ready to join it at once if it bolters or waves off.
In the T-45 carrier qualification glossary HAWK is instead a lead safety instructor watching over students (“hawking chicks”). [5]
Source: [8] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-44
- Hold-down
The fuel state at which an aircraft will be refueled on deck before its next launch.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, pp. 45, 67
- Holdback
A metal fitting that holds the aircraft on the catapult and is designed to break or release at a preset force during the catapult stroke.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 67
- Hook to ramp
The clearance between the aircraft's hook point and the flight deck as the aircraft crosses the ramp.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 67
- Jet blast deflector (JBD)
Jet blast deflector. A hydraulically raised, water-cooled deck panel behind each catapult that protects people, equipment and other aircraft from the exhaust of the aircraft on the catapult.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 67; [7] NAVEDTRA 14310, p. 5-1
- Jetborne flight
Very slow flight supported by engine thrust alone, for fixed-wing aircraft.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-5
- Landing Signal Enlisted (LSE)
Landing signal enlisted. The flight deck crew member who, under the Air Officer, gives a helicopter pilot visual signals for takeoff, approach and landing, directs the aircraft to its deck spot and controls the deck crew around it. Only the wave-off and hold signals are mandatory; the rest are advisory.
Source: [6] FM 1-564, pp. 2-4, F-2–F-3
- Landing Signal Officer (LSO)
Controls all fixed-wing aircraft off the 180 to touchdown during carrier and field carrier landing practice (FCLP) landings. Paddles is the LSO's call sign.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, pp. A-4, A-5
- Launch bar
The metal arm on the nose gear that attaches to the catapult shuttle for a catapult launch.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, pp. 67, 69
- Low state
The lowest fuel state in the flight, given at the Strike and Marshal check-ins.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, pp. 2-11–2-12
- Marshal
A bearing, distance, and altitude fix designated by CATCC or AATCC that the pilots will orient holding and that the initial approach will commence.
Navy carrier training also uses Marshal for the ship's radar controller. [3]
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-5; [3] CNATRA P-816, p. A-4
- Mother
Code name used to signify the carrier.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. A-5
- Needles
The approach guidance display of the automated carrier landing system (ACLS), shown to the aircrew on a crosshair display.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. 1-10
- Paddles
The call sign for the landing signal officer (LSO).
LSOs are qualified pilots who use radio calls to bring aircraft safely aboard. [3]
- Parrot
Military IFF/transponder.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-6
- Pigeons
Magnetic bearing and distance from an aircraft to a specific location.
The multi-service brevity word PIGEONS is the bearing and range to home plate. [4]
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-6
- Plane guard
The rescue helicopter or ship assigned during launch and recovery, usually a helicopter in the starboard Delta or a ship three miles astern.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 68
- Platform
A point of 5,000 feet altitude in the approach pattern at which all jet and turboprop aircraft decrease their rate of descent to not more than 2,000 feet per minute and continue let-down to the 10-nm DME fix for carriers and 12-nm for amphibious assault ships.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-6
- Popeye
A pilot's term used to indicate that their aircraft has entered IMC.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-6
- Primary Flight Control (PriFly)
The position on the ship where the air officer or designated representative observes flight deck operations and provides visual control to aircraft that operate in the carrier control zone.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-7
- Pull back
After an arrestment, the wire is partly pulled back so the pilot can raise the tailhook.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 68
- Ramp
The aft end of the flight deck, or the downwind end of the runway or platform used for practice.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 68
- Red Crown
The carrier strike group's air defense controller, the first check-in after the mission, which passes instructions and hands the flight to Strike.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. 2-11
- Roger Ball
The call made by the LSO that indicates you are cleared to land and the LSO has positive control, made less than a mile before landing.
Under Zip Lip the LSO flashes the green cut lights instead. [3]
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, pp. A-6, 1-12
- Shuttle
The part of the catapult that the launch bar attaches to and that pulls the aircraft down the catapult track.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 69
- Spin
A signal given to one or more aircraft that indicates a departure from and reentry into the break. The command may be issued by either the air officer or the flight leader.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-7
- Starboard Delta
A holding pattern on the starboard side of the ship, with right-hand turns, used by helicopters and carrier onboard delivery aircraft.
P-1211 gives 500 ft; the Navy's controller manual has helicopters hold at 300 ft or below, and the Army's shipboard manual puts the helicopter starboard Delta one mile to starboard at 300 ft. [5] [1] [6]
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 69; [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-8; [6] FM 1-564, p. 5-2
- State
Fuel state, as in “state 2.2”.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. 2-18
- Suspend
Stop the catapult launch sequence. A pilot suspends by calling “suspend, suspend, suspend” and shaking the head; the catapult officer signals it with wrists crossed above the head.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, pp. 40, 43, 69
- Sweet
The tanker's refueling system is working. Its opposite, sour, means the tanker's fuel package will not transfer.
Source: [8] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-44
- Tension
The step of the catapult launch in which the shuttle is moved forward to take up the slack. The pilot goes to full power on the tension signal.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, pp. 40, 69
- Trick or Treat
An aircraft in the pattern that has enough fuel for one more approach. If it does not trap, it will have to bingo or refuel in flight, if able.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. A-6
- VSTOL
An aircraft, other than a helicopter, whose flight characteristics allow vertical and short takeoffs and landings.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-8
- Waveoff
A discontinued landing attempt, which the pilot must fly immediately when the LSO illuminates the red waveoff lights on the lens. The LSO waves off any aircraft when the deck is foul or the aircraft is not within safe approach parameters.
Source: [3] CNATRA P-816, p. 1-13
- Wind-over-deck
The wind across the flight deck, made up of the natural wind and the wind from the ship's own movement.
Source: [5] CNATRA P-1211, p. 69
- Zip Lip
A condition that may be prescribed for flight operations during daylight VMC under which positive communications control is waived. Radio transmissions are held to the minimum necessary for flight safety.
Source: [1] NAVEDTRA 14342A, p. 11-9
Sources
- NAVEDTRA 14342A, Air Traffic Controller, chapter 11, Table 11-1: Shipboard operations terms and definitions. US Navy, Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (copy hosted by Integrated Publishing). https://navyaviation.tpub.com/14342A/Table-11-1-Shipboard-Operations-Terms-And-Definitions-358.html (accessed 2026-10-26). Printed pages 11-2 to 11-9; the table continues on the following pages of the copy. Covers aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships (LHA/LHD).
- NAVEDTRA 14342A, Air Traffic Controller, chapter 5: Optical landing systems. US Navy, Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (copy hosted by Integrated Publishing). https://navyaviation.tpub.com/14342A/Optical-Landing-Systems-240.html (accessed 2026-10-26). Printed page 5-52: the IFLOLS ball, datum lights and red low-warning cell.
- CNATRA P-816, CV Procedures (UMFO), T-45C. Naval Air Training Command (third-party copy), Revision 28 January 2014, Change 1 of 9 February 2018. https://murphysys.com/dcs/P-816.pdf (accessed 2026-10-26). Appendix A glossary, pp. A-1 to A-6; LSOs p. 1-2; carrier control area p. 1-3; ACLS needles p. 1-10; waveoff and cut lights pp. 1-12 to 1-13; Red Crown, Strike and Marshal check-ins pp. 2-11 to 2-12; ball call and fuel state p. 2-18; frequency buttons p. 2-21; commencing pp. 2-26 to 2-27. A training publication for one aircraft, cited for the meaning of carrier terms.
- ATP 1-02.1 / MCRP 3-30B.1 / NTTP 6-02.1 / AFTTP 3-2.5, Brevity: Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Multi-Service Brevity Codes. Air Land Sea Application Center for the US Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force, 28 May 2020, Change 1 of 2 April 2021. https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/atp1-02-1.pdf (accessed 2026-10-26). Table 2: ANGELS p. 3, BINGO p. 5, BULLSEYE and BUSTER p. 8, CHICK(S) p. 11, GATE p. 21, PIGEONS p. 35. See the brevity words for the full entries.
- CNATRA P-1211, Flight Training Instruction, Carrier Qualification, T-45. Naval Air Training Command (copy hosted by Integrated Publishing), (7-01), with changes 1 to 3. https://navyflightmanuals.tpub.com/P-1211/ (accessed 2026-10-27). Glossary pp. 65 to 69; lens pp. 3 and 6; hold-down p. 45; catapult signals and suspend pp. 40 and 43. Printed page numbers: the copy's page files run printed page plus 15.
- FM 1-564, Shipboard Operations. Headquarters, Department of the Army (copy hosted by EverySpec), 29 June 1997. https://everyspec.com/ARMY/FM-Field-Manual/FM_1-564_1997_13873/ (accessed 2026-10-27). Approved for public release. Landing signal enlisted p. 2-4 and appendix F; deck landing qualification pp. 1-11 to 1-14; starboard Delta p. 5-2; Charlie pattern p. 5-15. The Army's current shipboard manual may differ.
- NAVEDTRA 14310, Aviation Boatswain's Mate E. US Navy, Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (copy hosted by Integrated Publishing). https://navyaviation.tpub.com/14310/css/Chapter-5-Associated-Launching-Equipment-203.htm (accessed 2026-10-27). Printed page 5-1: jet blast deflectors.
- NAVEDTRA 14342A, Air Traffic Controller, chapter 11, Table 11-15: Tanking terms. US Navy, Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (copy hosted by Integrated Publishing). https://navyaviation.tpub.com/14342A/Tanking-Terms-400.html (accessed 2026-10-27). Printed pages 11-44 and 11-45.