[aerohead]

* the 'length' of the boat is probably the most important, as, while
'at sea' it's subject to 'pitching', with the angle of attack of the oncoming air, varying continuously with the height and separation frequency of the swells.
* depending on 'current' density altitude, each aircraft can be configured for optimum 'lift/drag' for takeoff and landing.
8) steam catapult launch systems guarantee that the plane will leave the deck at above 'stall' conditions, and power-to-weight, and rate of climb performance, specified by th NAVY, as a condition of purchase from the contractor, guarantees the under the worst-case-scenario, the the planes will make a successful takeoff.
9) the redundancy in catch-cables, 'usually' guarantees a successful landing.
10) the body of historical meteorological data in hand, allows 'known-knowns' for handling all take-offs and landings.
11) the launch deck will be 'submerged' in a turbulent boundary-layer, so any 'laminar flow' will exist only at some elevation above it, based on the distance from the 'bow' of the deck; and will be 'thickest' as the aircraft leaves the blast-diverters at initiation of launch.
12) looking at the leading edge of the USS Gerald R. Ford, there doesn't appear to be 'ANYTHING' done to address aerodynamics.