# H-8 Catapult Operation Procedures

By Drew Breunig

Operational instructions for the H-8 aircraft catapult, taken from the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, CA.

- [ ] When signaled by the catapult spotter actuate the bridle tension switch.
- [ ] Follow all signals from the catapult officer carefully.
- [ ] When the aircraft is at full power on its turn-up, depress the stand-by switch, place both hands on the deck edge, clear of the launch panel.
- [ ] With the final ready light on and upon a positive launch signal from the catapult officer, depress the fire switch.
- [ ] If a suspend signal is given, or a “hang fire” occurs, immediately actuate the suspend switch and the retract switch in that order, notify the machinery room.
- [ ] On a normal launch depress the retract switch only after the cross-head had come to a complete stop.