https://www.usni.org › magazines › naval-history-magazine › 2019 › august › call-ball-optical-mirror-landing-system
'Call the Ball': The Optical Mirror Landing System
Later, this was shorted to the "ball." When an aircraft is on approach in the groove, the LSO will ask the pilot in the approaching aircraft to "Call the ball," meaning "Tell me when you can see the light." Answering in the affirmative, the pilot will then "fly the ball," so to speak, onto the flight deck.
https://www.usni.org › magazines › naval-history-magazine › 2019 › august › call-ball-optical-mirror-landing-system 'Call the Ball': The Optical Mirror Landing System Later, this was shorted to the "ball." When an aircraft is on approach in the groove, the LSO will ask the pilot in the approaching aircraft to "Call the ball," meaning "Tell me when you can see the light." Answering in the affirmative, the pilot will then "fly the ball," so to speak, onto the flight deck.
Right, I was on the Ike 82 to 86. They do call it that v