Why Do Aircraft Carriers Have an Angled Runway?

Why is it that the flight deck on some aircraft carriers is built at an angle while the ship is straight? This is seen in contrast to the Queen Elizabeth Class ships which have a straight deck. The answer has less to do with how aircraft land on these carriers and more to do with how they are launched.

We begin with a journey back to the 1940s, where we examine the birth of the angled flight deck amidst the tensions of the Cold War. Discover how British naval engineers overcame the challenge of quickly launching and recovering fighter planes, giving birth to the angled flight deck design.

Next, we delve into the numerous advantages of the angled flight deck. From efficiency in operations and improved safety, to flexible flight operations and optimal use of deck space, we explore how this design has revolutionized naval aviation.

We'll also compare prominent aircraft carriers from around the world, highlighting the global recognition and acceptance of this design.

You'll also learn about the critical role of the flight deck crew, the importance of training and simulations, and the innovative technologies that enhance flight operations on angled decks.

Furthermore, we'll discuss the influence of angled flight decks on popular culture and civil aviation, revealing how this military design has permeated other aspects of our lives.

Finally, we invite you to speculate on the future of angled flight decks and the technologies used on aircraft carriers. Are there other designs that might surpass the current angled flight deck? #aircraftcarrier #usnavy #sailors

[brolinofvandar]

In the early 80's, I served aboard the first US "super carrier", which included the first built (not retrofitted) angle deck, the USS Forrestal CV-59. Rode her through her last Med/IO cruise in 82 before going into the Philly shipyard for SLEP (Service Life Extension Program) in 83 (Philly, the place to be in 83...). And big part of the work done during that SLEP overhaul was an expansion of the angle deck to accommodate flying F14s. Along with major upgrades to electronics, overhaul main engines, etc.

Given the Forrestal class was the first class of US carriers built with an angle deck, seems like a bit of an omission to never mention them at all.

We were flying F4s during that 82 cruise, and lost two of them (with their pilots, as I recall). One was a failed catapult launch that basically just dropped off the bow of the ship, the other was a night recovery that came in low and hit the round down at the aft end of the flight deck. Lost a total of 5 people that cruise, as I recall. And they deemed that a "safe cruise". I guess 5 out of 5000+ over six months on a floating airport isn't too bad of a record. Of the others, one was a heart attack, one fell several decks down a shaft.

That ship is now history, having been scrapped years ago. It was built in the mid-50's. I was born in the mid-50's. I'm retired, but not yet scrapped...🙂

[calvinhobbes]

Sustained, high-tempo operations are much safer and easier to coordinate with an angled flight deck. The forward catapults can be used for launching readied aircraft continuously while landing, refueling and re-arming incoming aircraft. The system is genius and the US navy has honed it to a fine science.💙

[martinmarsola]

Thank you, the UK for the brilliant idea! 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸

[deanlawson]

As an ex-Navy "AT" who was in a squadron that deployed to carriers, (Forrestal, and Kitty Hawk), I can attest to all of the things discussed in this video.
It's amazing to a young kid fresh out of "A-School" to fly out to the fleet and land on a carrier deck, and then go to work maintaining our squadrons aircraft and systems.
Big recognition and kudos and thanks to all of the dedicated people involved in daily carrier operations, making it all happen out there!

[PeteVA-]

I agree with all your comments with regard to the angled deck. However, I would put landing safety as number one. I have over 200 landings day/night flying the A-4 Skyhawk 50 years ago off Essex Class converted WWII carriers. In WWII, with a straight deck and 16 wires and a barricade you had to land!! With the angled deck and 4 wires, you can bolter and go around. For example, one incident I witnessed was a hook separation on arrestment and the a/c was able to fly off since our protocol is to go to max power on landing. I was the next a/c on the ball and was waved off. We both returned to home base to assess the situation prior to resuming operations.

[lsx]

How do pilots line up for landing on this kind of angled flight deck? Turn towards runway heading just prior to touch down?

[susie]

God be with you Navy 💖🙏 Thank you all for serving💙💯

[ronaldhartigan]

An angle-deck carrier heads into the wind, along with catapults, so planes off the bow (or port side) can have a higher air speed. But the carrier can also steam in any direction necessary to offset a crosswind and the relative wind can always be head on, regardless of which deck is being used just by changing the heading of the ship.

[curtekstrom]

To allow for Launch and Recover Aircraft at the Same Time. Launch Aircraft on Cats 1 and 2. While Recovery.

[donaldsmith]

All of these advantages are true but the real driving reason for the development of the angled deck was safety. Two forms of safety are involved. First if a aircraft misses an arrestor cable it can take off again and come around for another attempt, no harm just a foul for the pilot. Second it protects the other aircraft on the deck from being run into if there is a problem with a landing like a missed wire. All the other items listed are benefits of having an angle deck but were not the reason for their invention. With a straight deck from WW2 when an aircraft missed an arrestor cable it had to be stopped by a barrier similar to the emergency barrier the angle deck carrier can rig for catching damaged aircraft. This barrier did not always work allowing parked aircraft to be damaged and could cause damage to the aircraft that was landing when it did work. The pilot only got one chance at landing. Modern aircraft carriers like the HMS Queen Elizabeth that have straight decks are designed to work with vertical take off and landing aircraft. The ship does not have catapults or arrestor cables and the flight deck is easer to operate. Drawbacks to this are the aircraft can not carry as great a load of weapons at take off and the ship can not carry as many aircraft.

[GaneshMushika]

EMALS, not EMOLS, already been noticed. @10:10 the Queen Elizabeth do NOT have an angled deck. Also, several times, the images are not consistent with the text.

[OzzieBo]

The reason they have an angled runway, is just to give the engineers a huge structural and center of mass themed headache.

[jeffreyknowles]

You should have mentioned the very first conversion to an angled deck of a US aircraft carrier, the USS Franklin D Roosevelt cv-42. I served on the Rosie, on her last two med cruises, before she was decommissioned. My father was a plank owner on the Roosevelt.

[danielcarlson]

To launch and recover aircraft simultaneously. Also, to avoid risk of colliding with the superstructure, perhaps?

[KennethStone]

Too bad you didn't talk about the conversion of the Essex and Midway classes. That's a great story.

[MinhNguyen-nlgm]

Những chiếc máy bay ném bom đáp xuống Hàng không mẫu hạm tuyệt vời 🇺🇸👍

[Desk_Jock]

Launch and aircraft retrieval at the same time. Also safer for aircraft taking off again if they miss the arresting wire.

[jasonrusso]

Simple answer, because the length of the runway would interfere with that of the launch area & if you happen to overshoot you won't be struck by the prow you'll be offset to the port side & thus avoid the propellers as~well. Not that difficult to figure out with a bit of sensibility. No one wants to think anymore they desire to just be told the answer, "google, save my life plz."

[couttsw]

Did you notice, he repeats himself over and over, often changing the phrasing or wording of the statement but it is in effect the same thing.

[angelajoseph]

I honour the brave men and women's working on the aircraft's carrier I pray God keep them safe always ❤