Which statement about CATCC pre-launch briefs is true?

• A. They include Launch and recovery PIM, ship's weather, bingo field weather
• B. They include no weather information
• C. They are prepared by CO
• D. They are not used for pre-launch planning

Answer: (A)

CATCC pre-launch briefs are all about coordinating the plan for taking off and landing, with the weather and contingencies that could affect those operations. The Launch and Recovery PIM is included because it lays out the sequence, responsibilities, and procedures for launching and recovering aircraft, ensuring everyone knows how the phase will run. Ship’s weather matters because the crew and pilots need current wind, visibility, sea state, and other conditions to set catapult settings, approach speeds, and deck operations. Bingo field weather is included to outline the conditions at the designated alternate recovery field in case divert or abort scenarios arise.

It wouldn’t make sense to omit weather information, since weather directly impacts performance and safety during launch and recovery. The briefing is typically prepared by CATCC (often with the Air Officer or flight deck leadership), not the CO personally, and it is used for pre-launch planning to anticipate and manage potential issues.