Why is the superstructure of an aicraft carrier always on the starboard side?
Well if it were in the middle where would the planes land??? The island is off to the side to make it easier to handle airplanes on an AIRCRAFT carrier. The carrier island is in the same place on all of the carriers to standardize the training of pilots. When you miss the hook you can still take off and return for another try. Copied from a Military FAQ sheet: http://www.hazegray.org/faq/smn5.htm “Section E.9: Why starboard side islands? Why are aircraft carrier islands always on the starboard side? There are several reasons. Initially the island was placed on the starboard side because early (propeller) aircraft turned to the left more easily (an effect of engine torque). Obviously such an aircraft can execute a wave-off to the left more easily, so the island was put to starboard to be out of the way. There may also be other, minor contributing factors. Once the starboard side position was established and a few carriers
