The Reason Why Carriers Today Have Angled Flight Decks

The Evolution of Aircraft Carrier Decks

Today’s aircraft carriers typically feature angled decks, but this wasn’t always the case. Why the change?

Landing a damaged aircraft is hazardous even on land. When these planes operate in the middle of the sea, the difficulty increases significantly.

A pilot attempting to land on a straight-decked carrier with a damaged plane could potentially crash into other parked aircraft, crew members, or equipment on the deck.

This issue was addressed with the introduction of the angled flight deck. Pioneered by the British in the 1950s, this innovative design oriented the runway diagonally to the ship’s main axis.

This configuration provided enough deck space for planes to land without posing a threat to other deck activities. If a landing attempt failed, the aircraft could simply take off again and try once more.

Additionally, angled decks allow for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. The angled landing strip and launching strip form two separate paths, facilitating more efficient carrier operations. Isn’t that neat?