Aircraft carried per ton is an incomplete measure of carrier capacity. Deck parking can increase the number aboard when a carrier leaves harbour, but those machines remain exposed to wind, spray, and heavy weather. Aircraft placed on deck in the North Sea or North Atlantic might not remain serviceable for long. Nominal capacity therefore has to be separated from the number of aircraft a navy can preserve, maintain, and operate in its expected environment.
Notable Point · 54:41-55:05
Why deck parking is not free carrier capacity
Aircraft left on a carrier deck can increase departure capacity on paper but may not remain usable for long in North Sea and North Atlantic weather.