Could a small Cessna Aircraft take off from an aircraft carrier?

Laveta Fathy: Piece of cake. It can do it with it's eyes closed.

Whitney Saborido: if you do it, please tell me, I'll want your autograph even if it means I need to visit you in prison.It is definitely possible if the aircraft carrier is steaming full speed. Top speed of an acft carrier is like 30-35 knots, so even without a headwind, you only need about 20 knots more, which is easily achievable within 800 feet. The nimitz class of acft carrier are even longer: 1092 feet in fact. ------------------------------------------Crosswind shouldn't exceed 15 knots, because that is pretty much what a 172 can take. If there is a tail wind, obviously takeoff roll distance increases, but shouldn't become impossible (unless it's something around 60knots) because a carrier can steam 35 knots forward and 35 knot tailwind is near murderous for a 172....Show more

Ninfa Asby: You might be able to --BUT I WON'T DO IT!

Kenneth Blacker: Possibly. B-25's did it.. see doolitt! le raid..

Ollie Hamiel: Easily into the wind. "from the far right of an aircraft" What the heck does this mean???"could the total length of the carrier take off' The carrier would never take off.

Ira Porietis: Typical stall speed of Cessna 172 is around 50 knots. An aircraft carrier cruising at 30 knots into a 20 knot headwind would equal the 172s' stall speed. To take off in those conditions would require nothing more than adding power. The airplane would go straight up with no takeoff roll whatsoever. The hardest part of landing a 172 on a carrier would be for the airplane to catch the ship. Assuming one could get permission from the Captain. You'd certainly be an easy target for gunnery practice if permission denied. 3500 hour CFIAI...Show more

Tomi Vauters: Yes, it's perfectly possible, particularly with the carrier turned into the wind (as it usually is during launch operations), which can easily produce a 40-knot wind across the deck or better! . But even with no wind, a Cessna can take off. There are no ! obstacles to clear at the end of the deck and the aircraft will already be 70 feet above the water after clearing the deck, and the deck is nearly 1000 feet long.There are a lot of variables (the temperature should not be too high, and it's best if the aircraft is lightly loaded), and there are some conditions in which it would be difficult, but overall it's possible....Show more

Ermelinda Stalnaker: Huh? Of course it matters whether the carrier runway is banked to the wind or against the wind, and how strong the wind is. I saw a video recently of a small plane landing on the top of a moving van that was going about 40 mph.

Adan Stribble: No problem taking off or landing. There may be a slight problem getting permission to do it though.

Codi Manchel: Yes.No modifications needed.The windspeed plus the speed of the carrier through the water gives the aircraft a considerable headwind, and shortens the required takeoff distance. And you don't have to be at t! he maximum allowed gross weight....Show more

Keven Drumgole: Since a modern aircraft carrier maintains at least 25 knots of speed during flight operations, you are guaranteed at least that much of a head wind. A 172 with that much head wind could take off from a carrier easily - you would only have to accelerate another 35 knots.