edmcman, if i remember right the launch deck is around 300'.
I don't think an air tank with 120 PSI would be enough pressure and you would need a really big air tank to have enough volume for a launch. I had planned to use the small nitrogen bottle 3500 psi with a regulator to adjust to the right pressure and stage it about 3 times with solenoid valves (so i wouldn't yank the nose gear right out the airframe.) I was going to make a mock-up of the F-14 with the same nose gear shuttle like in the model aircraft with the same weight of it to get a starting point.Then do some test to see what it would take to get the right speed for a quick safe launch. 0 to a hundred in about 3 or 4 seconds!

Tamecat, Landing is not a problem with the F-14 and most heavy ducted fan aircraft, Its getting the beast in the air quickly and safely, The fans have plenty of power/speed when its in the air and gets up to speed, but its needs that kick in the butt to get it there a lot faster and safely without a long slow shallow climb. But the turbines should do that a lot better, but i still think about the Cat launch and want to do it when i get the time.