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Discuss “How Things Work: Aircraft Carriers”

Taking off from an aircraft carrier requires more than just radio communication between a pilot and ground crewmen — it takes the mechanical power of massive catapults and fast-acting braking systems.

Aircraft carriers have enough engine power to launch one airplane every 25 seconds.

The most important component of an aircraft carrier is the flight deck, or the landing and launching strip. Because the flight deck is so short, pilots and ground officials must keep close watch over all aircraft that are located on the carrier and flying around the ship.

U.S. aircraft carriers belonging to the Nimitz class of carriers have a runway that is just over 300 meters long; for comparison, the runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New...

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