Trailing Edge Flaps

Definition

Trailing edge flaps are movable surfaces located on the trailing edge of an aircraft's wing that are used to increase lift during takeoff and landing. By extending downward, these flaps enhance the wing's camber and surface area, allowing for greater lift at lower speeds and improving the aircraft's overall aerodynamic performance. They play a crucial role in enabling safe operations at reduced airspeeds, making them essential for various flight phases.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Trailing edge flaps can be classified into different types, including plain flaps, split flaps, and Fowler flaps, each with unique characteristics and performance benefits.
2. Deploying trailing edge flaps allows an aircraft to take off and land in shorter distances by increasing lift and reducing stall speed.
3. The increased surface area and altered airflow created by trailing edge flaps enable aircraft to maintain better control during low-speed maneuvers.
4. The deployment of trailing edge flaps alters the angle of attack of the wing, which helps prevent stalls during critical phases of flight.
5. Flap systems are usually controlled by the pilot through a lever or switch in the cockpit, allowing for precise adjustment based on flight conditions.

Review Questions

• How do trailing edge flaps affect an aircraft's lift characteristics during different flight phases?
  • Trailing edge flaps significantly enhance an aircraft's lift characteristics during takeoff and landing. When deployed, these flaps increase both the wing's camber and surface area, allowing the aircraft to generate more lift at lower speeds. This is particularly crucial during takeoff when additional lift is needed to become airborne quickly, and during landing when controlling descent rate and maintaining stability are essential.
• Discuss the differences between various types of trailing edge flaps and their specific advantages in flight operations.
  • Different types of trailing edge flaps include plain flaps, split flaps, and Fowler flaps. Plain flaps simply rotate downwards, while split flaps have a portion of the flap that drops down creating drag but also increasing lift. Fowler flaps extend rearward as they lower, maximizing surface area significantly. Each type has unique advantages: plain flaps are simple and lightweight, split flaps offer high drag for better deceleration, and Fowler flaps provide maximum lift without excessive drag.
• Evaluate how the deployment of trailing edge flaps can influence an aircraft’s stall characteristics and overall safety during flight.
  • The deployment of trailing edge flaps alters the airflow over the wings and increases the effective angle of attack, which can delay stall conditions. By lowering stall speed, these flaps provide pilots with a larger margin for error during critical phases like takeoff and landing. This capability contributes to overall flight safety by enabling smoother operations at slower speeds and enhancing control during low-speed maneuvers, reducing the risk of unintentional stalls.

Related terms

Wing Camber: The curvature of the wing's airfoil shape that influences how air flows over the wing and affects lift generation.

Lift Coefficient:

A dimensionless number that represents the lift generated by a wing at a given angle of attack, influenced by factors such as flap position.

Stall Speed: The minimum airspeed at which an aircraft can maintain level flight before losing lift, which can be lowered by deploying flaps.