Why minutes on a carrier deck become combat distance

Akagi and Kaga remained formidable conversions, but their internal arrangements could not move aircraft into action as efficiently as a purpose-built carrier. The difference might appear to be only seconds at each lift or minutes across an entire launch. For aircraft moving at hundreds of miles per hour, those minutes change where and when a strike arrives. They also determine how quickly defensive fighters become airborne and how long the carrier remains vulnerable.