Page 152 - How It Works - Book of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, 12

� AMAZIG ANSWERS TO CURIOUS QUESTIONS

Ho"W big is an The captain's log
The captain's quarters
double as office space
and afford comparative
luxury with a 30x30-foot
living space. The captain,
bar admiral, is the only
aircraft carrier? crew member to enjoy
the luxury of his own
private bathroom.

Living on an aircraft carrier can be a stimulating, equally
exhausting experience. Learn why, despite its massive
size, there can be no room for passengers ...

Full steam ahead
Two nuclear fission reactors heat water which Hitting the deck
passes under pressure driving four steam Two angled flight-decks Crew quarters
turbines that turn four bronze propellers - support the CATOBAR Crew typically endure
each measuring 20ft and weighing 30 tons (Catapult Assisted Take cramped living quarters with Is there a doctor on board?
apiece - to achieve a maximum speed of 35 Off But Arrested triple-stacked bunks, often Yes. The medical department is located under
knots (equivalent to 40mph). The protruding Recovery) system. This sharing compartments and the hangar deck to ease patient access, offer
bulbous bow adds buoyancy, reducing drag for speeds up flight-deck toilet facilities with upwards stability during surgical procedures and
enhanced handling and propulsion. It adds operations allowing for of 60 people while navigating protection from damage under fire. On
extra lift to the flight deck that aids in an simultaneous landing and near-vertical stairwells and a Nimitz-class carriers it operates a spacious
aircraft's launch. launch of aircraft. warren of tight corridors. surgical suite and intensive care unit.

Landing on a postage stamp
espite its 4.5 acres, the carrier has cables, suspended five inches off the flight
D limited space and planes require deck, separated at 35·40-foot intervals.
mechanised support to take off and land. These cables connect to hydraulic cylinders
Aircraft are spotted by tractors, readied with that act as giant shock absorbers. When the
fuel pumped from tanks below deck and tail hook connects with a cable it pulls a
primed with missiles. During a take off the piston within a fluid-filled chamber of the
carrier speeds into the wind, causing air to cylinder; as it's drawn down energy is
flow over the deck. This acts in conjunction absorbed, bringing aircraft to a halt.
with powerful steam·driven 'Fat Cat' Smaller carriers forgo the CATOBAR system
catapults that propel 30-ton jets with the for short take-off and vertical landing
necessary speed and lift to launch at a rate (STOVL). The Royal Navy developed a 'ski
of up to four every minute. jump' ramp at the end of the deck to help
Hitting a •postage stamp' on open water, launch aircraft that require little or no
aircraft rely on 1.375-inch-thick arrest forward movement to take off or land.

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