What altitude is assigned to an aircraft recovering under positive control after a bolter?

When an aircraft experiences a bolter—a scenario where it fails to land successfully on an aircraft carrier and must go around for another approach—it is assigned a specific altitude to maintain while recovering under positive control. This altitude ensures that the aircraft is safely above the carrier and any associated hazards, allowing for a safe and controlled approach for a second landing attempt.

In this context, Angels 2.5 refers to an altitude of 2,500 feet above sea level, which is often deemed the appropriate height for recovery operations. This altitude allows air traffic control and the pilot to maintain separation from other aircraft and ensures the aircraft is in a safe position to maneuver for another landing attempt. Understanding these altitudes and the protocols during recovery operations is essential for effective air traffic control in a carrier environment.

The other altitudes, while they represent valid flight levels, do not align with the standard recovery practices for bolter scenarios. Angels 1.0 (1,000 feet) may be too low for safe maneuvering, and Angels 3.0 (3,000 feet) and Angels 4.0 (4,000 feet) could be unnecessarily high for this phase of flight, particularly with regard to the specific training and procedures established for bolters in naval