Flaps

Flaps are hinged surfaces on an airplane’s wings that can be extended or retracted to change the wing's shape. When deployed, flaps increase the surface area and curvature of the wing, generating more lift at lower speeds. This is especially useful during takeoff and landing, helping the plane become airborne more easily and land safely at slower speeds. Flaps also add drag, which helps slow the aircraft down. They are controlled by the pilots to optimize performance across different phases of flight, improving safety and efficiency.