What do flaps on a wing primarily do?

What do flaps on a wing primarily do?

• A. Increase wing camber and lift coefficient, allowing slower takeoff and landing speeds.
• B. Decrease lift at low speeds.
• C. Stabilize yaw without affecting lift.
• D. Increase wing span to reduce wing loading.

Answer: (C)

Flaps are trailing-edge devices that increase the wing’s camber, which raises the lift coefficient at a given angle of attack. Extending flaps boosts lift at lower speeds, enabling slower takeoff and landing and shortening runway requirements. They also add drag, which helps with descent and approach control. They don’t stabilize yaw or increase wing span—those are not flap functions. So their primary role is to increase lift at low speeds.

Flaps are trailing-edge devices that increase the wing’s camber, which raises the lift coefficient at a given angle of attack. Extending flaps boosts lift at lower speeds, enabling slower takeoff and landing and shortening runway requirements. They also add drag, which helps with descent and approach control. They don’t stabilize yaw or increase wing span—those are not flap functions. So their primary role is to increase lift at low speeds.