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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.
Isac Roob
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How do planes maneuver?
the wing flaps go up and 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.
Do aircraft carriers launch off planes?
The planes take-off with a catipulte but they have to be light planes nothing to heavy. Then the plane goes into full throtle flaps up then takes-off
Why do planes have flaps on the wings?
Airplane wings are designed to be most efficient when at high altitudes, traveling fast, while providing as little drag as possible. Unfortunately this design inst the best for takeoff and landing. Flaps are used to change the shape of the wing to accommodate takeoff and landing requirements. Most planes have flaps on the front of the wings (leading edge flaps) and at the back of the wings. During takeoff flaps increase lift so a plane can take off with limited runway length and lower speeds. As the plane gains speed the flaps are retracted. On approach and landing you want to fly as slow as possible so the flaps are deployed in increments till landing speed is achieved. Landing slower means less runway needed to stop.
What moves flaps in an airplane?
Usually hydraulic rams in larger planes, but in model aircraft, it is electronic servo motors connected to push rods.
If planes flaps down does plane ascecnd?
Not necessarily, flaps are used to increase surface area of the wing thus producing more lift and slowing it down but at low speeds of about 135 knots/240MPH it's effect is very minor on the speed.
Do airplane need flaps to fly?
They don't really need them to fly. However they are very useful for keeping a plane flying when you slow it down on landing and using flaps on take of means that you reach flying speed at a lower speed. The runways would have to be a lot longer if planes had to land and take of without flaps because they would have to land flat out at air speed.
What are the flaps in the dryer called?
. . . flaps!
How many tail flaps do crayfish have?
They have 5 tail flaps
Mud Flaps?
form_title= Mud Flaps form_header= Add mud flaps to your truck. Do you want a design on your mud flaps?*= () Yes () No What color do you want the flaps?*= _ [50] What is the size of your tires?*= _ [50]
Between the cantle the blades the straps the sweat flaps and the flaps. which are part of a horse saddle?
The cantle and the sweat flaps
When was Tortilla Flaps created?
Tortilla Flaps was created in 1958.
