[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

The numbers start with 4 from the first cable at the approach end of the carrier and go down to 1. The New York Times just can't stop their bias with our President!!

Wrong. The approach end of the carrier is the stern of the ship. From the stern forward, the cables are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4. They snagged the last cable, number 4.

[Alberta's Child]

Someone pointed out yesterday that it would be highly unusual for this particular aircraft to catch the "first" cable, due to a certain aerodynamic characteristic that makes it "float" on a landing approach.

I'd be interested to hear from any Freepers out there who have some direct experience with this kind of thing.

[mass55th]

I'm just repeating what Fox's John Scott reported directly from the USS Abraham Lincoln. He said that that was the information he had received from people aboard the ship.

[Freakazoid]

I watched it again and he caught number three. It happens quickly but you can see the three wire bend over the straight four wire.

[Bill Davis FR]

Wrong. The approach end of the carrier is the stern of the ship. From the stern forward, the cables are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4...They snagged the last cable, number 4.

righton Buddy...don't you just love these armchair naval aviators...lol

[FreeperinRATcage]

OK...thanks for clearing that up...I thought they were numbered 1-4 aft forward as well.

Catching the 4 isn't as dangerous as catching a 1, but I bet the pilot still takes some ribbing :)