answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Because although flaps create extra lift they also produce a lot of extra drag which makes the plane inefficient.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why are airplane flaps not used at cruising speeds?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Do you use flaps to land an airplane?

Yes, Flaps are both used to create lift (on takeoff) and to slow the aircraft (on Landing)


What simple machine is used in an airplane?

There are screws for the propellers, and levers to control the landing equipment and flaps


Are flaps the ailerons?

No. On MOST airplanes, ailerons are separate from flaps. Ailerons are used to help steer the airplane, while flaps are lowered to change the aerodynamic shape of the wing to provide more lift during take off and landing.


How fast do transatlantic airliners travel?

Most jet airliners currently used in transatlantic service have maximum speeds of approximately 568 mph, and are typically operated at cruising speeds of 530 to 540 mph. The supersonic Concorde airliner, used from 1976 to 2003, had a cruising speed of 1330 mph.


What do flaps do on a plane?

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 situationA 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 do flaps do on planes?

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 situationA 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.


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 are the flaps on an airplane used for?

The flaps on an airplane are there for two reasons: Drag and lift. As an airplane lines up with the runway and descends, it must slow down. Several things are done to slow down, such as throttle the engines down and lower the gear. However is some airplanes, to slow down and remain slow they must extend the flaps. These cause extra drag, which slows the airplane down. They are usually extended in increments while on approach. The second reason is for lift. As an airplane get slower, the wings get less and less effective, and once it gets slow enough, it may stall. To prevent a stall, airplanes lower flaps. These redirect air downward, pushing the airplane up. This allows it to fly slower, past its "clean" stall speed. (Clean stall speed refers to an airplane's stall speed with no flaps or landing gear extended) Some airplanes can fly nearly 100 knots slower with full flaps. The stall speed with full flaps and landing gear extended is known as "dirty" or "landing configuration" stall speed. This is much slower than "clean" stall speed.


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.


What Simple machines are in airplane?

A screw used to move flaps, pulleys used for steering, The level - used in conjunction with pulleys to operate some of the Yoke controls, the wheel - used in moving the craft on the ground and moving inflight trollies


What is purpose of desynn synchro system?

To get remote indication of angular position of required device. It is used in the airplane to indicate the position of flaps, ailerons etc. Selsynn system is more accurate.


Which parts are used to control lift at low speed for takeoff and landing?

Flaps and slatsSlats and flaps