FLAP CONTROL LEVER
The Flaps are located on the trailing edge of the main wings between the fuselage and the Ailerons. The flaps on this Piper 140, are operated by a hand brake style lever. On some other aircraft they are operated electrically by the use of a flap control switch, either way they can be lowered or raised in stages.
Lowering the flaps has two effects:-
1) They increase lift which allows the aircraft to maintain height at a lower air speed.
2) They increase drag.
When a small amount of flap is deployed the main effect is to increase lift with a small increase in drag. However, as the amount of flap is increased the amount of drag increases but with only a slight increase in lift.
If a small amount of flap, say 10 degrees, is deployed prior to commencing the take off run the aircraft will, if flown correctly, lift off the ground at a lower speed than normal and therefore the ground covered before take off is less. This is very useful on grass or shorter runways.
The second use of flaps is when landing. In this instance much more flap, up to 40 degrees, is deployed in stages.
This has two effects:-
1) The increase in drag means that in order to maintain speed the pilot must lower the nose of the aircraft
and this will give him or her a better view of the runway.
2) The increase in lift afforded by the flaps will mean that the aircraft will touch down at a lower speed,
which is particularly useful on grass or shorter runways.