# H-8 Catapult Pre-Operation Procedures

By Drew Breunig

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

- [ ] Perform the pre-launch check.
- [ ] Insure that the inter-lock switch is on and the suspend switch is off.
- [ ] Fifteen minutes before the launch make contact with the catapult machinery room.
- [ ] Insure that the correct amount on launching bridles and hold back devices are in readiness for launching.
- [ ] Before the first aircraft approaches the shuttle, contact the catapult machinery room and insure that all the correct valves are open and that the machinery is ready for launching.
- [ ] Relay ordered pressure to the catapult machinery room and notify the catapult officer when it has been set.
- [ ] Insure that the first ready light is on prior to the first aircraft being hooked up.