Flight deck and aircraft facilities Nimitz-class aircraft carrier

the hangar of george washington during replenishment @ sea, 2009.

the flight deck angled @ 9 degrees, allows aircraft launched , recovered simultaneously. angle of flight deck reduced in relation previous carriers, current design improves air flow around carrier. 4 steam catapults used launch fixed-wing aircraft, , 4 arrestor wires used recovery. 2 newest carriers, ronald reagan , george h.w. bush, have 3 arrestor wires each, fourth used infrequently on earlier ships , therefore deemed unnecessary.

this catobar arrangement allows faster launching , recovery wider range of aircraft can used on board compared smaller aircraft carriers, of use simpler stovl arrangement without catapults or arrestor wires. ship s aircraft operations controlled air boss primary flight control or pri-fly. 4 large elevators transport aircraft between flight deck , hangars below. these hangars divided 3 bays thick steel doors designed restrict spread of fire.