The Ensign's Challenge:
Ensign's Challenge:
Ensign Pete Jenkins had graduated from Naval Flight School and earned his wings according to US Navy standards.
His first carrier assignment however, caused doubt.
Evidently, the Captain and XO make no apologies when it comes to the requirement for any pilot, assigned within the walls of this ship, to complete something called the Ensign’s Challenge.
The Captain boldly states, “Aboard this ship, any promotion from Ensign to Lieutenant requires the successful completion of the Ensign’s Challenge.”
The weight of military tradition and the camaraderie regarding the challenge, cause even the most seasoned pilot to question whether they are really worthy to wear US Navy wings; or at least in bravado, wager a full night’s bar tab on one's ability to complete it.
The pressure was so unofficially implied, that even senior officers, who become stationed aboard her, soon became inspired to complete the exercise.
You could see who had successfully completed the right of passage and who had not through the shipboard privilege of wearing the red ribbon.
This adornment was not sanctioned to be warn as part of the US Navy uniform, but aboard this ship, the Captain encouraged it to be displayed.
Justified or not, Pete Jenkins wanted that adornment and lay awake thinking about his Ensign’s Challenge the next day.
He thought to himself...
Complete the following in order:
1. Complete a takeoff from the carrier’s catapult system
2. Complete a proper climb to the aircraft’s service ceiling
3. Complete a proper dive
4. Complete a proper Immelmann
5. Complete a proper Split S
6. Complete a proper overdive
7. Complete level bombing between 5K and 7K meters using dummy sand bag ordnance (it is required that the designated target be hit once)
8. Complete successful fuel management (do not run out of fuel during the exercise)
9. Safely land back aboard the carrier without damage to the aircraft
10 Complete a successful engine shutdown
Just before he slipped into sleep, he also remembered the 2nd prize, promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
1. The next day Pete gave the signed load plan to the Crew Chief
2. He could see his GM FM-2 Wildcat had just been brought up from the hangar deck
3. He began strapping in as the tug pushed him and his aircraft to the pre-flight staging area
4. Knowing that he had to wait for the Crew Chief to coordinate his load out for the day
5. Pete watched as the sand bag training ordnance was brought from below deck
6. and then attached to his aircraft’s wing mounted hard points
7. The crew chief signals engine start, so Pete begins his pre-flight and start
8. 400 LB Fuel… check…
9. The Crew Chief hands the aircraft off to the marshaling team for the flight control check
10. Pete feels the aircraft in motion again as it is now being pushed to the catapult area
11. Although he wanted to keep the aircraft light for the exercise…
12. He takes comfort in the 100 rounds loaded to each gun just in case he gets visitors
13. Pete gets his head in the game now that the catapult line is in front of him and sets the brakes
14. The clanging of bridle leads being connected lets Pete know showtime is near…
15. Weapons mate signals Pete is weapons live and the Flight Officer gives him throttle up.
16. His aircraft quakes into full throttle… RPM Check… Fuel Flow Check… Pit OK.. Standing by...
17. Time stops and an eternity passes as Pete waits for the Launch signal…
18. LAUNCH...!!!
19. Pete is pulled into his aircraft as she jolts for the deck free void in front of the ship…
20. He feels the vibrations of the deck smooth as his aircraft becomes lighter…
21. and the ship disappears from his peripheral view as if he was never on her
22. He begins retracting the undercarriage and flaps for airspeed
23. Check off item number 1 of the Ensign’s Challenge…
24. Next, the longest leg of the Challenge… Climbing to the aircraft’s service ceiling
25. Pete reminds himself there is still a war in progress and scans the horizon for bogies
26. Pete is able to see the Destroyer escort Samuel B Roberts to the port side of the CVE
27. Check off item 2, proper climb (climb card + slow card) in succession to service ceiling
28. Thirteen thousand meters or 36,400 feet
29. Pete looks at his fuel and finds he spent one third of it to get to altitude...
30. Knowing he has to get the next 8 items underway he pushes into a dive
31. Fulfilling the dive requires that a fast maneuver follow the dive
32. Item number 3 is completed with a fast turn as Pete rides through the heavy G forces
Please See Part 2 http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...lenge-(Part-2)...
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Originally Posted by Marechallannes
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