flaperon

Flaperons on a Kitfox Model 3, built in 1991

A flaperon is a type of control surface that combines aspects of both flaps and ailerons. In addition to controlling the roll or bank of an aircraft like conventional ailerons, both flaperons can be lowered together to function much the same as a dedicated set of flaps would. Both ailerons could also be raised, which would give spoilerons.

The pilot has separate controls for ailerons and flaps. A mixer is used to combine the separate pilot input into this single set of control surfaces called flaperons. The use of flaperons instead of separate ailerons and flaps can reduce the weight of an aircraft. The complexity is transferred from having a double set of control surfaces (flaps and ailerons) to the mixer.

Many designs that incorporate flaperons mount the control surfaces away from the wing so as to provide undisturbed airflow at high angles of attack or low airspeeds.

Flaperons are sometimes referred to as "Junker Flaperons".

Notable experimental aircraft using flaperons include the V-22 Osprey, the Zenith STOL CH 701, the Kitfox and the RJ.03 IBIS.

References

The anatomy of an STOL Design by Chris Heintz[1]

See also

• Aileron
• spoilerons

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