What Are Flaps For?

Flaps change a wing's curvature, increasing lift. Airplanes use flaps to maintain lift at lower speeds, particularly during takeoff and landing. This allows an airplane to make a slower landing approach and a shorter landing. Flaps also increase drag, which helps slow the airplane and allows a steeper landing approach.

Takeoff configuration for a Boeing 727 wing.


Landing configuration for a Boeing 727 wing.

Courtesy of Bill Tinkler

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(Rev. 09/26/96)