What Are Flaps With One or More Slots Called?

Flaps are an essential part of an aircraft’s wing design. They help increase the lift generated by the wings and also aid in slowing down the aircraft during landing.

Flaps come in different types, shapes, and sizes, depending on their intended use and the type of aircraft they are installed on. In this article, we will focus on a specific type of flaps – Flaps with one or more slots.

Flaps with one or more slots are commonly referred to as ‘Slotted Flaps.’ They get this name due to the presence of a slot or gap between the flap and the wing when they are deployed. The slot allows high-pressure air from below the wing to flow over the top of the flap, creating a high-pressure zone that helps increase lift.

The slotted flaps were first introduced in 1917 by Gustav Lachmann, a German aerodynamicist. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that they became popular among aircraft manufacturers. Today, slotted flaps are commonly used on commercial airliners like Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.

Slotted flaps come in two main types – Single-slotted flaps and Double-slotted flaps.

Single-slotted flaps have only one slot between the flap and the wing when deployed. They are relatively simple in design and operation but still provide a significant increase in lift compared to plain flaps. Single-slotted flaps are commonly used on smaller aircraft like regional jets and turboprops.

Double-slotted flaps have two slots between the flap and wing when deployed – one near the leading edge of the flap and another near its trailing edge. The double slots allow even more high-pressure air to flow over both sides of the flap, generating even more lift than single-slotted flaps. Double-slotted flaps are commonly used on larger commercial airliners like Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s.

Slotted flaps are not without their disadvantages, though. They are more complex and heavier than plain flaps, which can increase the weight of the aircraft and reduce fuel efficiency. They also create more drag when deployed, which can affect the aircraft’s speed and performance.

To summarize, flaps with one or more slots are called ‘Slotted Flaps.’ They come in two main types – single-slotted flaps and double-slotted flaps – which provide a significant increase in lift compared to plain flaps.

However, they also have some disadvantages like increased weight and drag. Despite their drawbacks, slotted flaps remain an essential part of modern aircraft design and continue to be used on commercial airliners worldwide.