Small Scale Military Headquarters

For anyone who knows:

1) Just before launch the F-18 seems to drop on its nose gear about a foot or two. What is the reason for this and how much does it drop down?

2) Just before take off the pilot gives a thumbs up, salutes and then seems to grasp some handles near the top of the windscreen. Are they handles he is grasping and why does he hold onto them?

Thanks for any help!

Someone else back me up on this...

Q. #1 I am pretty sure the reason for the collapse of the nose gear strut just prior to catapult is to prevent any in/out movement of the nose strut during launch. I believe the nose strut extends back out immediately after leaving the catapult.

Q. #2 Yes, I have noticed the pilot does put both hands on the grab rings. I understand that the launch is so violent that you do not want to leave your hands in your lap. Arms may move around and hit something and cause a problem. Pilot would have to grab the stick when the catapult is complete or at least wait until the worst part of the acceleration is over.

Cheers

He puts his hands on the handles for the G forces during take off. As far as I know the nose connects to the CAT, thats why it goes in a little.

Yeah, For Number 1, I believe it's the catapult starting to pull the F-18 forward... and the resulting action jerks the F-18 downward toward the deck because of the shocks on the gear.

For #2 he also is showing the "cat guys" that they have control of the whole launch. That way there is no mishaps, like a weapon going off.

I was a Waist Center Deck operator on the Kennedy in the 70s. The nose wheel does that to allow the launch bar and holdback bar to be attached to the cat shuttle which actually pulls the plane down the track. The holdback bar "holds" the plane in place while it turns full throttle and releases when the cat is fired.
The pilots thumbs up indicates he and his aircraft is ready for launch, he then salutes the Catapult Officer and braces for launch. I dont remember exact cat speeds but the cat lenght was something like 318 feet and from fire to airborne was like 3 seconds.