How are flaps used on an aircraft?

every aircraft has own configuration of flaps, , flap positions specific each aircraft. being so, notions "x degrees of flap" or "position 5" cannot compared 1 aircraft another.

anyway, flaps used increase lift @ low speed, increasing effective area or angle of attack of wings. have several positions. may surfaces can moved airstream below wing, or may extend outwards increase size of wing and/or extend downwards airstream (like fowler flaps used on airliners). there many different flap designs in use.

@ low settings, flaps add lift. @ higher settings, add lots of lift great deal of drag.

flaps used extensively during landing allow aircraft make approach @ slow speed while still remaining in air. aircraft may use them during takeoff (very common airliners) allow faster or shorter takeoff. can used slow aircraft, when both increased lift , slower speed required, during approach. increased drag extended flaps 1 reason why may hear engines speed on airliner during last part of approach landing: increase in throttle setting made overcome drag of flaps, , aircraft merely maintains speed rather speeding up.

flaps never used in cruise flight. aircraft have no flaps. recommendations use of flaps vary lot 1 aircraft another, , there wide range of situations in allowed used, depending on pilot discretion.

describe how flaps used. know used during take-off, landings, other time? there percentage(guessing thats word) of flaps used during different times? used differently different aircraft? example 747 , f-16.

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