Effect Of Flap Angle on Aircraft Takeoff and Landing Distances

Abstract

Flaps are essential devices on aircraft that directly influence lift force then control aircraft performance during takeoff and landing phases. Flaps change the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing to increase lift or drag force, thereby impacting takeoff or landing distance which help adapt to different situations when takeoff or land. This paper investigates the relationship between flap angle and the takeoff and landing distances. A series of aerodynamic theory, computational models, and practical results from published literature were used to quantify these effects. Results show that flap angles in the range of 15°-20° optimize the balance between shortening the distance and keeping aviation safety best, significantly reducing both takeoff and landing distances. However, excessive deflection can cause excessive drag, thus counteract the lift effect. The study highlights the foundational importance of flap setting improvement in aviation safety and efficiency. Findings provide valuable insights for both aircraft designers and engineers, while also identifying gaps between theoretical studies and real-world scenario using real flight data.