this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] chunes@lemmy.world 3 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

What does "make wings bigger" actually do?

[–] Railing5132@lemmy.world 4 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

Extends the flaps, i.e. makes the chord of the wing longer making it able to be more effective at lower airspeed. (takeoff and landing).

The flaps are retracted at cruise to make the wing more efficient at cruise.

[–] chunes@lemmy.world 1 points 22 hours ago (2 children)

Is it separate from the ailerons?

[–] towerful@programming.dev 2 points 14 hours ago

Ailerons are for imparting roll.
Flaps and slats are not for steering

[–] Railing5132@lemmy.world 1 points 22 hours ago

I believe the ailerons are on the outside half of the wing, and the flaps are on the inside half (toward the fuselage)