Ouija Board

An "aircraft carrier ouija board" is a term for a physical, scaled-down replica of an aircraft carrier's flight deck used by flight deck control personnel to manage and track aircraft movements. It's a low-tech system, often using small plastic models of aircraft, that remains vital because it's not susceptible to power outages or computer glitches that could affect electronic systems. 

How it works

• Replica: The board is a physical model of the flight deck, and sometimes the hangar bay underneath. 
  
• Aircraft models: Small silhouettes representing the carrier's aircraft are placed on the board. 
  
• Status markers: Sailors use different colored tacks, bolts, or washers on the models to represent the status of each aircraft, such as needing fuel, maintenance, or being ready for flight. 
  
• Coordination: Personnel move the models on the board to mirror the real aircraft on the deck, helping them plan and coordinate all flight operations. 
  

Why it's still used

• Reliability: Unlike electronic systems, the physical board can't crash or lose power, making it a reliable tool during critical operations. 
  
• Simplicity: Its straightforward nature makes it easy to understand and use, even for new sailors. 
  
• Situational awareness: The board provides an immediate, visual "snapshot" of the entire flight deck, offering a high degree of situational awareness at a glance. 
  
• Backup system: While the Navy is developing computerized replacements, the "ouija board" remains a crucial, simple backup system that works even if all power is lost on the ship.