HIGH LIFT DEVICES IN AIRCRAFT
By Arnab Nath, Nanduri
Anish, Kevin Basil B
Some
devices that are used to increase lift in aircraft such as flaps, slats, and
slots. In this article, we have discussed these devices and their importance.
In
wings to produce high lift, we have to increase the angle of attack. If we
increase the angle of attack beyond the critical angle attack stalling occurs.
To avoid this wing’s area and camber can be increased. But at cruise speed,
this leads to high drag. So we have to increase the area and camber only when
there is a need for a high lift. For this, the flaps are used which can be
unfolded when it is not necessary. Flaps are the high lift devices which are
added to the trailing edge to increase the area and camber of the wing. This
can extend downwards only to increase the camber of the wing. To take off the
aircraft flaps are bent to a smaller angle and while landing they are bent to a
maximum angle. Flaps are one of the
secondary control surfaces. These are used to improve the performance of the
aircraft.
Slots
Slots
are attached to the leading edge of the wing which helps to generate more lift.
The slots allow high energy air below the wing to flow from the top of the wing
which energizes the boundary layer and hence the wing stalls at a high angle of
attack and also the lift is increased. The disadvantage of having slots is that
they consume power and also induce drag while cruising.
Slats
Slats
are similar to slots, instead, they are attached at the trailing end of the
wing. Slats increase the chord of the wing and hence result in the generation
of more lift. The disadvantage is that they induce drag while cruising.
