Each pilot is expected to eventually complete carrier qualifications on one or more aircraft. The list of aircraft are as follows:

* The F4U Corsair

* The F6F Hellcat

* The TBF Avenger

* The F4F Wildcat

To successfully complete carrier qualifications the pilot must record and submit to the commanding officer (or a designee of his choice) on their guncam 5 consecutive "traps" (successfully catching the wire) in the aircraft of their choice. If the pilot fails to make all 5 traps in succession (either through missing the wire, fly-by or crashing) then the process must start over.

The recommended approach for landing is from the aft of the ship starting at a range of 8000-10000 yds and an alt. of 4000-5000 ft. Airspeed should be reduced to below 150 kts (with approx. 100 kts or less at touch being optimum). To help achieve this it is recommended to lower flaps to 30' once airspeed is reduced to below 130 kts (at this point the landing gear should already be extended). Maintain an airspeed between 100 and 115 knots on final approach. Touchdown should occur on the rear 1/8th of the carrier's deck ( the spacebar should be depressed prior to touch down to "lower the tailhook"). When touchdown occurs, the aircraft should come to a sudden and complete stop (without redding the screen), at this point, immediately shut off the engine while continuing to hold down the spacebar (or hold down the joystick break button, if applicable). If filming a qualification (on or off-line)- type in "Trap #" to record the trap and to assure yourself of exactly how many consecutive traps you have completed (incomplete carrier qual films will result in a CQ failure).

Carrier qualification counts only toward the specific aircraft used in the film, to qualify on another aircraft a seperate CQ film must be submitted using the appropriate aircraft.