Modern aircraft carriers are widely referred to as a "city at sea." This is certainly accurate, given that 6,000 people are working, relaxing, eating, and sleeping on board for an extended period. However, it is not like any city that you would find on dry land, where you can go anywhere without little or no restrictions. There are some areas on an aircraft carrier that you might not have access to even if you are a crew member. One of such areas is the flight deck. Why do most Navy crew members never get on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier?
Most people who live aboard an aircraft carrier have little opportunity to see the outside world. Only a small number of people are permitted access to the flight deck, hangar, and fantail. Even though the views of the sky and sea from each of these areas are breathtaking, they are the most dangerous places to work on an aircraft carrier. The island's upper levels are secure enough, but due to sensitive operations and a lack of available space, few persons can come and go at once. A sailor who works below deck may go several days without seeing daylight.
The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is the surface from which its aircraft take off and land, essentially a miniature airfield at sea. The flight deck is possibly the most dangerous location to work on the planet. The Navy crew that works on the flight deck are in danger of dying, being struck by a propeller, having engine intake ingestion, ordnance explosion, fuel fire, arrestor cables cutting limbs, aircraft losing control, and so on. Approximately once every five minutes, an aircraft weighing 35,000 pounds lands on the deck. There is a constant presence of flame, heat, ear-splitting noise, gases, poisons, and danger. On top of all this are layered strong winds, pouring rain, and a swaying deck. It’s not a place that anyone can just go to.
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