During level turns, which is true regarding flap use?

During level turns, which is true regarding flap use?

• A. Increase stall speed
• B. Decrease stall speed
• C. No effect on stall speed
• D. Always cause stall during level turn

Answer: (B)

Extending flaps increases the wing’s lift capability by increasing camber, which raises the maximum lift coefficient (CLmax). This means the wing can produce the same amount of lift at a lower airspeed. In a level turn, you need more lift to counteract the greater load factor, but with flaps down you gain that additional lift capability at lower speeds. So you can fly at a slower airspeed before stalling than you could with flaps retracted. Flaps don’t cause stall outright, and they don’t have no effect on stall speed; they don’t guarantee stall in a turn, and in level flight you’re still managing speed and load factor. The practical takeaway is that extending flaps lowers the stall speed in a level turn, though it increases drag and requires more power to maintain airspeed.

Extending flaps increases the wing’s lift capability by increasing camber, which raises the maximum lift coefficient (CLmax). This means the wing can produce the same amount of lift at a lower airspeed. In a level turn, you need more lift to counteract the greater load factor, but with flaps down you gain that additional lift capability at lower speeds. So you can fly at a slower airspeed before stalling than you could with flaps retracted.

Flaps don’t cause stall outright, and they don’t have no effect on stall speed; they don’t guarantee stall in a turn, and in level flight you’re still managing speed and load factor. The practical takeaway is that extending flaps lowers the stall speed in a level turn, though it increases drag and requires more power to maintain airspeed.