The take-off length on a carrier's deck was short. To help aircraft become airborne in shortest possible time, in launching planes, a carrier was headed into the wind and speed increased. This also helped pilots to maintain straight run during takeoff without danger from cross winds. The same applied to landing. A plane's designed landing speed was necessarily slow. This, and wind plus ship's
speed, enabled planes to land in short space.
Speed in launching was essential. As one plane cleared the bow the next was starting to move. Others closely packed behind, were moved or taxied into position on signal from the launching officer. Because they might have been needed to protect the ship, and because they had the more powerful engines in ratio to their size and weight, the fighter planes were stowed farthest forward, then the scout and dive bombers, with the heavier torpedo planes at the stern.