An optical landing system (OLS) (nicknamed "meatball" or simply "ball") is used to give glidepath information to pilots in the terminal phase of landing on an aircraft carrier.

LSOs have a "pickle switch," or handheld remote, that controls what "the ball" displays. LSOs also have a handheld radio to communicate with pilots, and when an LSO calls out "Roger, ball," it signals to everyone listening that he is in control of the approach and the pilot is cleared to continue to land.

“Paddles” soon became the LSO's trademark and nickname. LSOs, naval aviators themselves, continue to aid pilots today as they approach U.S. carrier decks, but the semaphore flags and paddles long since have given way to sophisticated optical landing systems.

LSOs faced the incoming plane and held colored flags for visibility. Because LSOs waved colored paddles, flags, or wands, the officers became unofficially known as "Paddles" in the United States Navy, or "Batsmen" in the Royal Navy, while the trade was referring to as "waving".

1:40 3:50 What is the meatball on an aircraft carrier - YouTube YouTube Start of suggested clip End of suggested clip Some meters next to the catapult. Four on the port side of the carrier. This is an important tool ofMoreSome meters next to the catapult. Four on the port side of the carrier. This is an important tool of the lsos. To guide the pilots. During the approach for the last 1000 meters to the landing.

An arresting gear, or arrestor gear, is a mechanical system used to rapidly decelerate an aircraft as it lands. Arresting gear on aircraft carriers is an essential component of naval aviation, and it is most commonly used on CATOBAR and STOBAR aircraft carriers.

The LSO can tell at a glance whether a plane's approach is too high, too low, too fast or too slow, and despite advances in technology (examples being the Optical Landing Systems on display), the LSO still monitors and guides each landing and is responsible for calling wave-offs when an aircraft has entered a dangerous ...

A pilot uses IFLOLS to discern his glide slope—the angle at which aircraft descend and land—by tracking the up-and-down motion of a “meatball,” a bright amber light. The more closely aligned the meatball is with a horizontal row of green “datum” lights, the closer an aircraft is to its prescribed glide slope.

8:07 9:51 What Happens When an Arresting Cable Breaks on US Aircraft Carriers? YouTube Start of suggested clip End of suggested clip When it's time to land the pilot will approach the carrier from the rear flying in a pattern thatMoreWhen it's time to land the pilot will approach the carrier from the rear flying in a pattern that allows the tower to monitor. And control The aircraft's Descent as the aircraft approaches. The