What is one purpose of wing flaps?

• A. To enable the pilot to make steeper approaches to a landing without increasing the airspeed
• B. To decrease lift
• C. To increase stall speed
• D. To reduce approach angle

Answer: (A)

Wing flaps increase the wing’s camber and effective lift at lower speeds, while also adding drag. This lets you fly slower yet still generate enough lift to stay aloft, so you can descend toward the runway on a steeper approach without speeding up. In other words, extending flaps lowers the airspeed needed for landing while increasing the descent angle control.

That’s why the best answer is about enabling a steeper approach without increasing airspeed. Flaps do not decrease lift; they raise lift at lower speeds (and often reduce stall speed), and they don’t purposefully reduce the approach angle.