Theory of

Flight
 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE

Theory of Flight

Topic 3 – Lecture 12

Principles of Aeronautical Science

Lesson Recall
i. Ways to Minimise Drag
ii. Ways to Maximise Lift

Principles of Aeronautical Science

Contents
i. Functions of Suction & Blowing
ii. Functions of Slats, Slots & Flaps

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight
Functions of Suction and Blowing

• Suction may be used to remove the sluggish airflow that is near the
trailing edges due to boundary layer thickening (due flow
separation)

• Are poor options to control boundary layer flow

• Blowing may be used to energise boundary layer flow by using

small portion of (high-pressure) air diverted from the engine

• However both methods not very practical

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight
Functions of Slats and Slots

• Leading edge devices – that can cause some of the high energy air
from beneath the wing to flow through a slot and over the upper
surface of the wing
• Delays airflow separation and wing stall
• Allows aircraft to fly at higher AoA and at lower airspeeds (e.g.
approach)
• Slats form part of upper leading edge in normal flight and can extend
forward and/or down to form a slot
• Some aircrafts have fixed-slots built-in to the wing leading edge, but
less common as they generate high drag at cruising speeds

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Leading edge slots Theory of Flight

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight
Function of Flaps
• Increases wing camber (curvature)
• May increase effective wing area e.g. fowler flap

• Gives better take-off

performance and
permits steeper
approach angles 
allows lower approach
and landing speeds

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight
Function of Spoilers

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight
Function of Spoilers (high drag devices on wings)
• Increases drag, reduces lift by spoiling airflow over wing
• Used for roll control e.g. To roll right, right wing spoilers raised  destroys
some lift and creates drag right wing drops  aircraft banks and yaws to
the right
• In flight, deploying on both wings  increases aircraft rate of descend
without increasing speed
• On ground, deploying spoilers:
 Act as `airbrakes’
 Increase drag for stopping aircraft, thus shorten ground roll for landing
 Destroys lift, thus transfers weight to the wheels which improves braking
effectiveness

Principles of Aeronautical Science

 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight

Ground Spoilers Deployed

Principles of Aeronautical Science
 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE
Theory of Flight

In-flight Spoilers Deployment

Principles of Aeronautical Science
 PRINCIPLES OF AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE

Principles of Aeronautical Science

Lesson Summary
i. Functions of Suction & Blowing
ii. Functions of Slats, Slots & Flaps

Principles of Aeronautical Science