Wing Lift Control with Flaps and Slats

The Clark Y-14 wing shows how flaps and slats can change airplane lift during takeoff and landing. A wing is the main part of an airplane that generates lift, and high-lift devices help improve its performance when extra lift is needed.

Flaps are located on the trailing edge of the wing. Slats ar...

The wing is the primary lift-generating apparatus in an airplane, and its geometry is key to its performance. First, recall that lift is an aerodynamic force that is generated by a pressure differential between the top and bottom surfaces. The total lift is proportional to the surface area of the wing. Thus, a higher surface area results in incr...