Cold Cat
An incident on an aircraft carrier's flight deck where the steam-powered catapult or "cat" which launches aircraft that can't take off vertically. It happens when something apart from or inside the system absorbs too much heat from the steam reservoir or cylinder, causing it to cool. If enough heat is lost, the steam will condense. Since water takes up much less room than steam, pressure is lost, and the catapult's strength is lost.
This can be an unnoticeable and slight loss of thrust, or it could result in the launched aircraft plopping into the sea.
Opposite of a 'hot cat' which could result in loss of control or a torn up nose cone.
This can be an unnoticeable and slight loss of thrust, or it could result in the launched aircraft plopping into the sea.
Opposite of a 'hot cat' which could result in loss of control or a torn up nose cone.
"Cold cat! Cold cat!" shouted the pilot through his radio before another Hornet was lost, this time not because of combat.
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