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primary use is to increase lift which allows to land or takeoff at slower speeds - but flaps also increase drag which slows an airplane and requires more power and thus more fuel to fly so flaps are retractable for normal flight - because of the drag flaps can be used as a brake to slow an aircraft or at least to keep it from speeding up while on approach for landing - but the motors and gears that operate the flaps are not very strong (to keep them light) so the flaps can only be used at slow speeds and used as a brake one must be very careful so not to break them - jamming or breaking the flap gears in flight, though by itself is not likely to cause a crash, is still a dangerous situation
A little additional info...In the jet age, flaps also perform another function in addition to providing extra lift. While a portion of the flaps provide lift, extending them further adds drag which then allows the jet engines to maintain a higher power setting. This is necessary as the time to spool up the engine from idle to maximum power for jets is much greater than for prop type aircraft. During an approach, if the engine is unspooled (low or idle RPM) and a go around is necessary, the delay in reaching full power is unacceptably long. With flaps extended beyond the lift range and into the drag range, the aircraft can fly the approach with the engines spooled up and have power immediately available in case it's needed for a missed approach. Most flaps have two retraction speeds. One that quickly brings them out of the drag range for the missed approach, and a slower one that raises them slowly so as not to decrease lift too quickly or cause an abrupt change in aircraft attitude.The flaps on an airplane change the aerodynamics of the wings for one of two purposes.
1. To allow the airplane to descend at a steeper angle without increasing airspeed.
2. To allow the airplane to takeoff and/or fly at lower airspeeds.
On landing approach it is very important to touchdown at the lowest speed safely possible. However, it is obviously necessary to descend down to ground level before you can touch down. Generally when you lose altitude by diving, you gain airspeed. Extending the flaps will allow you to maintain a steeper descent without increasing airspeed.
On takeoff the goal is to get the airplane off the ground in as little runway as possible. In this case the flaps are used at a shallower setting in order to increase the wing-chord (the aerodynamic profile of the wing) to allow it to produce greater lift at lower speeds. Thereby allowing the airplane to lift off in a shorter distance.
What else can I help you with?
Do the flaps on a plane affect how fast the plane flies?
yes. the flaps increase drag which slows the plane down.
What does the planes tail of the plane do?
It helps the plane balance. And on the planes tail it has two flaps on each side, and when these flaps go up it lifts the tail and the plane goes down, and when the flaps go down then then plane goes up.
What do flaps help an airplane do?
An airplanes having the flaps in wings as it helps the plane to give or to produce a additional lift.
Why are the flaps of the wings on a plane adjust thoughout the flight?
That is not common. Flaps are generally used to take-off and land.
Where is the flaps on a spitfire?
at the bottom of the plane, roughly underneath the cockpit
How can a camber be increased on a plane?
Camber can be increased by using flaps.
What are the flaps on an airplane called?
They are quite literally called flaps, and they make the plane go up, down, left and right.
What is the flape on the plane and how do they help the plane?
the flaps on a plane increase drag and they create lift so the piolt can fly the plane at a lower speed.
What is function of TE flap in aircraft?
The function of flaps and slats on a plane are simple but important. While landing and taking off the flaps are down so the plane lift increase and the plane can maintain flight with lower air speeds. While cruse altitude flaps are in to reduce drag, safe fuel and the chance to speed up.
What happens when the flaps of a paper airplane are up?
slows the plane down
What are those flap like things that open on an airplane's engine when it lands?
You got it in one they are flaps. the wings have flaps and ailerons and sometimes an extra control surface that goes upwards to help it slow down. In any case the flaps are the control surfaces on the back of the wing that move down as the plane slows down to land. they stop the plane from stalling and falling out of the sky. a very irritating thing if it happens especially when you are close to the ground. by using the flaps the plane is able to keep flying at a lower speed prior to landing. if there were no flaps the plane would have to come in at high speed or fall out of the sky.
What are the parts of a plane?
Propellers Flaps Elevators Rudder Fuselage Wings Aileron
