Originally Posted by KSMITH
Originally Posted by jorgeI
Originally Posted by Jayhawker
As a goal, an aircraft carrier should be able to do at least 40 knots because it needs that airspeed across its deck to launch planes. The USS Midway was capable of that in the late 70s although you'd think she was coming apart. I'm sure the nuke ships are capable of much more.


No way Midway could anywhere near 35, much less thirty, especially with the stabilizing bulges added in her senior years. As far as "wind", sure you can generate your own wind, but depending on aircraft launch weight, 25kts is a good rule of thumb.

Nimitz Class carriers have only TWO reactors. Enterprise has eight, she was the first nuke carrier and what they did there was install 8 SSN reactors and BTW she was the fastest of all our carriers, because of her hull SHAPE which really plays a big part in determining realistic attainable speeds. I can tell you that I saw 36 kts on NIMITZ.. j
Truth.

It takes 10 knots of wind to make a whitecap and that is good flying weather on a carrier.

I launched 2 planes off the Kennedy while at anchor in Hurghada, Egypt. Any guesses as to which airframes?


Departed NS Mayport FL, in JFK one calm morning with the full wing aboard. I launched in an A-7E with ship doing around 5 Kts just as we passed the breakwater. Light jet, but still impressive kick in the pants from Cat 1. Hell of a lot of fun!