The above website discusses the use of flaps and slats:
"During takeoff and landing the airplane's velocity is relatively low. To keep the lift high (to avoid objects on the ground!), airplane designers try to increase the wing area and change the airfoil shape by putting some moving parts on the wings' leading and trailing edges. The part on the leading edge is called a slat, while the part on the trailing edge is called a flap. The flaps and slats move along metal tracks built into the wings. Moving the flaps aft (toward the tail) and the slats forward increases the wing area. Pivoting the leading edge of the slat and the trailing edge of the flap downward increases the effective camber of the airfoil, which increases the lift. In addition, the large aft-projected area of the flap increases the drag of the aircraft. This helps the airplane slow down for landing."
Basically, the wing's surface area increases during takeoff and landing to slow down the airplane or increase lift.
Here's another awesome, detailed description of how this works: http://adg.stanford.edu/aa241/highlift/highliftintro.html
It describes flap geometry, aerodynamics, and leading edge devices. This requires an understanding of maximum lift coefficient, which is part of the stalling speed equation.
Here was where I found the explanation:
http://adg.stanford.edu/aa241/highlift/clmaxest.html
Here's another awesome, detailed description of how this works: http://adg.stanford.edu/aa241/highlift/highliftintro.html
It describes flap geometry, aerodynamics, and leading edge devices. This requires an understanding of maximum lift coefficient, which is part of the stalling speed equation.
Here was where I found the explanation:
http://adg.stanford.edu/aa241/highlift/clmaxest.html
Wow, the summary of the flaps and slats was quite interesting! The presentation of this information as a crucial part of how commercial airplanes fly makes this relevant and current. I will remember this next time I get on a plane!
ReplyDeleteOne thing that could be helpful for the average reader. I personally found it a little tricky to understand what "camber" and "maximum lift coefficient" were I had to sift through the websites that were linked to them. This may just be an issue for the common person, as someone in the field probably won't need such basic definitions.