The Moving Airport (2)
During the second world war, aerial support is urgent for the navy. Aircraft can be used for reconnaissance and combat. One of the most significant carrier-borne attack during the second world war was at the battle of Taranto where Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers of the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious launched a surprise attacked on the Italian fleet. The mission was a notable success as the British Navy only lost 2 aircraft while Italian forces suffered about 650 casualties.
As the technique of housing aircraft aboard ships began to grow more and more advanced, almost all aircraft carriers can carry at least 30 aircraft. Aircraft are stored below the decks. They will be brought on to the main deck with an elevator and moved into position. Then, it'll be ready for instructions from the island (building constructed on an aircraft carrier located next to the runway, serves as the HQ). When it's time to go, the pilot will start the engines to full power and step on the brakes to stop the plane from moving. Next, the HQ will tell the pilot when to release the brakes. Once the brakes are released, a steam powered piston on the deck pushes the plane with great force, and the plane is airborne.
Upon landing, the plane will first align itself to the runway. When all is right, flaps are released and the engines are cut to reduce speed. It'll touch down with the speed of about 140 km/h (90 mph). A hook designed specially on carrier-borne planes' tails will grab on to one of the elastic strings and finally coming to and abrupt halt.
Carrier-borne planes are specially designed so that they are capable to land and take-off from a carrier. They must have a very sturdy structure and are able to take-off in a short distance. V/STOL technology is an innovative way of lancing planes. The word V/STOL means "Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing". The MV-22 Osprey is a good example. With its tilting rotor, the propeller can be pointed 90 degrees upward or forward, which means it can take-off like any other helicopters and fly like other piston powered aircraft. Another good example is the Harrier. It has engines on sideways that can rotate from 0 degrees (backwards) to 98 degrees (slightly forwards). By using this technology, aircraft can take-off with extreme speed and respond quicker.
As the technique of housing aircraft aboard ships began to grow more and more advanced, almost all aircraft carriers can carry at least 30 aircraft. Aircraft are stored below the decks. They will be brought on to the main deck with an elevator and moved into position. Then, it'll be ready for instructions from the island (building constructed on an aircraft carrier located next to the runway, serves as the HQ). When it's time to go, the pilot will start the engines to full power and step on the brakes to stop the plane from moving. Next, the HQ will tell the pilot when to release the brakes. Once the brakes are released, a steam powered piston on the deck pushes the plane with great force, and the plane is airborne.
Upon landing, the plane will first align itself to the runway. When all is right, flaps are released and the engines are cut to reduce speed. It'll touch down with the speed of about 140 km/h (90 mph). A hook designed specially on carrier-borne planes' tails will grab on to one of the elastic strings and finally coming to and abrupt halt.
Carrier-borne planes are specially designed so that they are capable to land and take-off from a carrier. They must have a very sturdy structure and are able to take-off in a short distance. V/STOL technology is an innovative way of lancing planes. The word V/STOL means "Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing". The MV-22 Osprey is a good example. With its tilting rotor, the propeller can be pointed 90 degrees upward or forward, which means it can take-off like any other helicopters and fly like other piston powered aircraft. Another good example is the Harrier. It has engines on sideways that can rotate from 0 degrees (backwards) to 98 degrees (slightly forwards). By using this technology, aircraft can take-off with extreme speed and respond quicker.
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| The Harrier, a popular V/STOL aircraft |
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| The HQ of an aircraft carrier, also known as the Island |
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| An Osprey flying with propeller pointing upwards |
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