LIFT

AUGMENTATION
DEVICES!

By Haider Ali Baba

INTRODUCTION:

 First of all we need to know the basics, like why do we need Lift
augmentation?
 What is augmentation?
 And then what are the devices used for lift augmentation?
AUGMENTATION:
Basically the layman term for augmentation is that its an action or procedure to make
something greater in size or magnitude.
The wings of an aircraft are designed to produce lift at high speeds in forward motion
only. For slow flight we need to increase lift but the angle of attack can be increased to a
certain limit only, so for that we need lift augmentation devices. With the help of
Aerodynamics they have come up with the lift augmentation devices which are capable of
lift at slow speeds. Lift augmentation devices are used in almost every flight.
Following are the types of lift augmentation devices we will be talking about:
• Flaps
• Slats
• Slots
• Spoilers
FLAPS !
FLAPS:

 Flaps are devices used to alter the characteristics of a wing and are mounted
on the trailing edge of the wings to reduce the speed at which an aircraft can
be flown.
 Flaps increase drag.
 Flaps lower the stalling speed.
 They shorten take off and landing distances.
 Extending flaps increases the curvature of the wing raising the lift coefficient
this allows the aircraft to generate more lift at low speeds.
 Extending flaps also increases the drag coefficient of the aircraft thus
increasing the drag force.
EFFECTS OF FLAPS DEPLOYMENT:

 CL increases for all angle of attacks.

 Reduced stall speed.
 Higher CD.
 Rearward movement of centre of pressure.
 A lower stalling aircraft is more maneuverable and can land and takeoff in
shorter distances.
TYPES OF FLAPS:
DESCRIPTION & CHARACTERISTICS
OF FLAPS:
AS YOU CAN SEE ABOVE IN THE PICTURE IT SHOWS YOU HOW THE
AIRFLOW ACTS WHEN IT PASSES THE WING BOTH WHEN THE FLAPS ARE
NOT DEPLOYED COMPARED WITH WHEN FLAPS ARE DEPLOYED.
FLAPS DURING TAKEOFF:

 Depending on the type of aircraft flaps may be partially extended for takeoff.
 When used for takeoff flaps trade runway distance for climb rate.
 The amount of flaps used is specific for each type of aircraft the manufacturer
sets the limit for flaps operating speeds and deployment angles.
 Using flaps decreases ground roll and climb rate.
USE OF FLAPS AT LANDING:

 Flaps are fully extended to give the aircraft a lower stall speed which allows
for a slower approach and shorter landing distance.
 Although higher lift and drag due to extended flaps allows a steeper and
slower approach for landing but imposes handling difficulties.
 As flaps are extended any sort of crosswind will cause the aircraft to generate
more lift and drag and in turn will produce yaw roll and pitching movements.
 As soon as the aircraft is on ground the flaps are put back up because it will
decrease braking due to the lift being generated while rolling on the ground.
 Generally for landing full flaps are used which considerably reduce the
approach path with a steeper descend at low speeds and shorter roll.
As we can see from the diagram above there is a considerable change in both the
angle of descend and the approach path of the aircraft. With no flaps the aircraft
flies a longer approach as compared to half flaps landing configuration in which
the approach path is reduced and then the full flaps landing configuration in which
the approach path is further reduced and the angle of descend is steeper as
compared to no flaps landing.
STALL ANGLE:
STALL ANGLE:
The angle between the chord line and the relative airflow
at which the aerofoil stalls is called stall angle.
In Air dynamics stall is a reduction in lift generated by
the aerofoil as the angle of attack is increased.
This happens when the critical angle of attack of the
aerofoil is exceeded.
Stall in a fixed wing aircraft is experienced as a sudden
reduction of lift when the critical angle of attack is
exceeded which is generally 15 degrees.
The angle of attack and the critical angle of attack of the
aerofoil are two major components of stall as it is not
necessary for the engine to stop working for a stall to
happen.
A buffet , stall warning and stick shaker are some of the
stall warning aids installed in the aircraft.
STALL ANGLE:

Stall depends upon the angle of attack not the airspeed but the slower the
aircraft the more angle of attack it needs to have so when the angle of attack is
equal to the critical angle of attack that speed is called stall speed.
SLATS:

 Slats are aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edge of fixed wing aircrafts
which when deployed allow the aircraft to operate at a higher angle of attack.
 So by deploying slats an aircraft can operate at slower speeds as well as the
distances for take off and landings is shortened.
 There are 3 types of slats namely automatic, fixed and powered.
 Fixed slats are also called SLOTS.
 Slats basically re energize the airflow above the aerofoil to stop it from
separating sooner.
SLATS:
SLATS:
1. Slats are deployed in case of powered slats.
2. The slats move outwards and downwards to create a slot.
3. Region of low Static Pressure is now connected to region of high
Static Pressure.
4. Low Static Pressure above the wing is connected to high Static
Pressure below the wing.
5. The energized flow of air is sucked from under the wing.
6. The separation of airflow above the wing is delayed.
SLOTS:
SLOTS:
• As the aircraft approaches critical angle of attack the separation point moves
towards the leading edge and the turbulent flow of air is increased which results in
control ineffectiveness.
• To counter this effect high pressure of energized air is pushed up through slots in
the leading edge of the wings.
• These slots prevent the separation point to move forward towards the leading
edge.
• Slots help regain aileron effectiveness.
• Fixed slats also are called slots because they make a way for the air below the wing
to move towards the upper portion of the wing.
• Just like slats slots also allow higher angle of attack and lower stall speeds.
• Improves maneuverability.
• Improves control effectiveness.
SPOILERS:
SPOILERS:

 Hinged surfaces installed on the upper surfaces of the wings are

called spoilers, parallel to the lateral axis and forward of the wing
flaps.
 Main function of spoilers is to dump lift.
 Like flaps spoilers can also be used to steepen the descend path and
reduce airspeed.
 As we can see in the picture spoilers work by disturbing the airflow
above the wings.
 Spoilers are used to slow the airplane down.
 Paired with ailerons to initiate rolling motion.
 Spoilers are used on ground roll to brake efficiently.