Wing Flaps and Other Devices as Aids to Landing

Abstract

It has long been recognised that landing and taking—off are the most hazardous periods of the average flight. In this respect an aeroplane is similar to a boat being launched or beached at high speed; the change from one medium of support to another is bound to involve possible damage especially if speeds are high. So far as risk of mechanical damage, due to uneven aerodrome surface (or swell in the case of a seaplane), is concerned, the speed of landing should be the minimum practicable. Very low landing speeds have a possible disadvantage in that one may not have sufficient aerodynamic control to compete with gusts, etc., but there are few aeroplanes of to-day which have landing speeds so low that this objection can be raised. The trend of design in recent years has been to increase aerodynamic efficiency by streamlining and to increase the wing loading.