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US Navy pilots face significant challenges when landing on aircraft carriers, utilizing arresting cables and tailhooks. The landing process requires precision, with the pilot aiming for specific arresting wires and maintaining engine power to ensure a safe recovery in case of a missed landing.

Former EA-18G Growler pilot Adam Daymude highlights a strong reluctance among Navy pilots to trust autopilot systems for carrier landings, citing their failure under adverse conditions. Daymude recalls an incident where the auto-throttle malfunctioned during landing, emphasizing that manual landings remain the safest method. He notes the difficulty in programming algorithms that can replicate the instinctive adjustments pilots make based on real-time conditions.