Why carrier islands beat flush decks

A flush deck promised an unobstructed landing area, but pilots also needed visual reference points to judge height and alignment. A well-designed island supplied that reference while housing command and aviation functions and carrying exhaust clear of the flight deck. Its airflow could also assist landing when the structure was shaped properly. Funnel trunking through a hangar consumed space and added heat, helping explain differences among Furious, Courageous, and Glorious and reinforcing the practical value of Eagle's arrangement.