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Launch!
The shooter checks the winds one more time to make sure they haven't fallen off. When the shooter is ready to shoot, he'll touch the deck then lift his hand and point. A lifted hand tells the deck edge operator (DEO) that the shooter is ready to fire. The DEO will look for a green light in the light bank, and will check that the JBD is up and the plane looks good. Then, he looks back at the shooter. If the shooter's hand is still up, the DEO hits the fire button, releasing steam at about 500 pounds per square inch into the catapult. The plane is launched and there is no turning back.
If the shooter needs to abort in the middle of this procedure--for example if the winds drop--he need only put his finger back down on the deck. When the DEO takes his final look at the shooter and sees his hand down, he will not fire. The DEO will not start his sweep again until the shooter lifts his hand. This stage of the launch holds the greatest risk of miscommunication.
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