What is one purpose of wing flaps?

• A. to increase cruise speed
• B. to improve engine cooling
• C. to enable the pilot to make steeper approaches to a landing without increasing the airspeed
• D. to reduce wing flutter risk

Answer: (C)

Wing flaps increase the wing’s lift at lower speeds by increasing camber and surface area, while also adding drag. This lets you fly a much steeper descent path for landing without raising airspeed, because the wing can produce enough lift at a slower, controlled speed. In other words, extending the flaps allows a safer, steeper approach to land without needing to accelerate.

So the most fitting purpose is to enable a steeper approach to a landing without increasing airspeed. Flaps don’t serve to boost cruise speed, aren’t primarily for engine cooling, and aren’t intended to reduce wing flutter risk.