"DOWN TO THE WIRE" U.S. NAVY AVIATION NAVAL AVIATOR CADET AIRCRAFT CARRIER TRAINING FILM 45744

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Directed by Jerry Hartleben, who's had a long career as a documentary filmmaker, and shot by award winning cinematographer Conrad Buff, "Down to the Wire" is a portrait of naval aviation cadets struggling to receive their carrier wings circa 1970. To become qualified as a carrier jet pilot, a variety of tasks must be mastered from "touch-and-go's" on land to that first hairy carrier landing at sea. The famed Essex class carrier USS Lexington (CV/CVA/CVS/CVT/AVT-16), known as "The Blue Ghost", appears in the film. By the end of the film, these cadets are on their way to earning their Naval Aviator ratings.

The aircraft shown in the film are the North American T-2 Buckeye. They were the United States Navy's intermediate training aircraft, intended to introduce U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Student Naval Aviators and Student Naval Flight Officers to jets. It entered initial service in 1959, and was replaced by the McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk in 2008. The film highlights the critical role of naval aviation training, showcasing the journey of young pilots as they transition from basic military indoctrination to mastering precision landings and carrier operations. Training emphasizes mental preparation, technical skill, and handling the unique challenges of landing on a moving aircraft carrier deck. Through rigorous practice, solo flights, and initial carrier landings, these students build confidence and expertise, culminating in their qualification as naval aviators after months of intense training. The program combines tradition, technology, and personal determination to prepare pilots for the demanding realities of naval flight.

0:00 – Whitaker Corporation promo. Whitaker makes key parts for large jets and ground equipment ensuring safe landings.
0:35 – Whitaker helped astronauts reach the moon and now develops biocompatible instruments and clean power technologies.
1:37 – Navy men transitioned from sea to air, mastering flight from aircraft carriers.
6:26 – At Pensacola, students practice precision landings guided by a light beam called “the meatball.”
8:06 – A student pilot reflects on the challenges and mental processes of learning to fly jets.
10:40 – New aviators undergo military indoctrination and basic flight training to prove their motivation and stamina.
12:08 – The training progresses with solo flights building self-confidence essential for naval aviators.
13:36 – Pilots relax and share experiences before facing their first carrier landing.
15:05 – Landing procedures emphasize caution for exceptions and quick reactions during carrier landings.
17:28 – Students complete practice landing sessions, refining their skills before carrier qualification.
19:03 – The carrier prepares for the rendezvous 60 miles out at sea.
21:24 – The flight to the carrier is the longest for the students, with the carrier deck acting as a very short, moving runway.
23:19 – First touch-and-go landings on the carrier deck occur.
25:29 – After successful landings, students prepare for catapult launches from the carrier.
28:56 – Pilots reflect on lessons learned and acknowledge the fast pace of carrier operations.
29:21 – After six more months of training, these students will earn their Navy wings, marking their official status as naval aviators.

Director Jerry Hartleben got into Hollywood at age 10, playing Van Heflin’s son in 3:10 to Yuma. While he acted in a few films (most notably, he played Lon Chaney as a boy in 1957’s The Man of a Thousand Faces), it was never his passion—that was photography. He went on to become a respected cinematographer, working on feature films (Wilder Napalm, 1993), television series (thirtysomething), and commercials.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com