Why do some aircraft have their trailing-edge devices (flaps or similar) exist as a separate piece on the trailing edge of the plane, while for others it is integrated into the wing and it looks like the wing “opens up/splits apart”?
In: Engineering
My understanding is limited, but Some planes have flaps and ailerons. Flaps enable the plane to stay aloft at slower speeds by increasing their surface area, which is helpful when you’re landing and whatnot. Ailerons are ‘control surfaces,’ which are a way the pilot steers the plane.
Some planes have flaperons. The flaps and ailerons are part of the same assembly. So to deploy the ‘flaps,’ the whole flaperon assembly slides out of the wing and it looks much different than what you see on wings that have flaps and ailerons separate from one another.
Sorry if I got that wrong, hopefully it will inspire another redditor to correct me.
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