Takeoff on Tomcats

San Francisco skipper Tom Blackaller’s contention that taking off in a F-14 Tomcat from an aircraft carrier deck is easier than to jibe around the wing mark was good for a few laughs (“The Race to Recover the Cup,” by David DeVoss, Aug. 31). Having raced sailboats and flown F-14s, my observation is that if the sailing maneuver isn’t executed correctly, you’ll lose the race. If you screw up the takeoff, you lose your life.

Don A. Frasier

Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station