Chapter 57 Wings

This is one of the most important parts of the aircraft. While the engines provide thrust, the wings provide lift and stability.

The wing, depending on the aircraft type, has moving parts as the ground spoilers, flight spoilers, leading edge, and trailing edge.

The leading edge devices are control surfaces on the forward of the wing. Known as the Krueger flap, they work together with the trailing edge flaps to provide additional lift for takeoff, and additional lift and drag for landing.

The leading edge devices are normally controlled by feedback from the trailing edge flaps, which in turn are controlled by the flap lever in the cockpit.

Essentially, the wing increases or decreases its surface to provide lift when the flaps are extended or retracted. This motion is operated with the aid of two to three position hydraulic actuators depending on the wing configuration.

The graphic examples illustrated in this page show some examples of the flap configurations and the main components of the wing.