One of the main functions of flaps during approach and landing is to

• A. Increase the angle of descent without increasing the airspeed
• B. Decrease the angle of descent
• C. Increase airspeed
• D. Reduce lift

Answer: (A)

Flaps change the wing’s lift and drag characteristics to allow a steeper approach at a safe, controllable airspeed. By increasing wing camber, flaps raise the lift coefficient at lower speeds, so you can fly slower while still maintaining enough lift. The added drag helps keep the descent stable and controllable without needing to push the nose up to slow the airplane. In practice, this means you can descend toward the runway on a steeper glide path without increasing airspeed. Flaps do not purposefully speed you up, and they don’t reduce lift; they enable more lift at lower speeds while adding drag to control the descent.