Secondary flight control

Definition

Secondary flight control refers to systems that enhance the aircraft's performance and handling characteristics without being primary means of control. These systems, which include flaps, slats, and spoilers, assist in improving lift, reducing drag, and enhancing stability and control during various phases of flight. By complementing the primary control surfaces like ailerons, elevators, and rudders, secondary flight controls play a crucial role in optimizing aircraft performance across different speeds and configurations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Secondary flight controls are crucial for aircraft safety, especially during takeoff and landing when lower speeds increase the risk of stalling.
2. The deployment of flaps increases the wing's camber and surface area, resulting in significant increases in lift while also affecting drag characteristics.
3. Spoilers not only help in reducing lift but also assist in roll control by increasing drag on one side of the aircraft, aiding in turns.
4. Slats work by delaying airflow separation over the wing, allowing the aircraft to maintain smooth airflow at higher angles of attack.
5. Many modern aircraft utilize electronic flight control systems to manage secondary flight controls automatically based on flight conditions.

Review Questions

• How do secondary flight controls enhance an aircraft's performance compared to primary flight controls?
  • Secondary flight controls enhance an aircraft's performance by providing additional aerodynamic benefits that improve lift, reduce drag, and enhance overall stability. While primary controls like ailerons, elevators, and rudders are essential for basic maneuvering, secondary controls such as flaps and slats optimize performance during critical phases like takeoff and landing. This complementary function allows pilots to operate the aircraft more effectively under varying speed and weight conditions.
• Discuss the role of flaps in enhancing aircraft safety during takeoff and landing operations.
  • Flaps play a vital role in enhancing aircraft safety during takeoff and landing by increasing lift at lower speeds. By extending the flaps, pilots can achieve a higher angle of attack without risking a stall. This capability allows for shorter takeoff distances and steeper approaches during landing, contributing significantly to safer operation in crowded airspaces or on shorter runways.
• Evaluate the impact of modern electronic flight control systems on the management of secondary flight controls.
  • Modern electronic flight control systems have revolutionized the management of secondary flight controls by automating their deployment based on real-time flight data. This advancement enhances safety by ensuring optimal configuration for various phases of flight without requiring constant pilot input. The automation helps prevent human error and allows for more efficient operation under diverse conditions, significantly improving overall aircraft performance and handling characteristics.

Related terms

Flaps: Flaps are movable surfaces on the wings that increase lift at slower speeds by changing the wing's shape, allowing for safer takeoffs and landings.

Spoilers: Spoilers are panels on the wing that can be raised to disrupt airflow, decreasing lift and increasing drag to help with descent and landing.

Slats: Slats are leading-edge devices that extend from the front of the wing to enhance airflow over the wing, improving lift during slow flight conditions.