Some aircraft are fitted with wing spoilers to decrease lift.

Prepare for the Airplanes and Aerodynamics Commercial Pilot Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Some aircraft are fitted with wing spoilers to decrease lift.

Explanation:
Spoilers reduce lift by intentionally disturbing the airflow over the wing. When deployed, they trip the smooth upper-surface flow into turbulence, causing the wing to shed lift and operate at a lower lift coefficient for the same airspeed. This helps the airplane descend or slow down without increasing speed, and the disruption also increases drag as the flow becomes more turbulent. They don’t increase lift, and they don’t change the wing’s camber—the wing shape is fixed, while spoilers alter the flow characteristics to reduce lift.

Spoilers reduce lift by intentionally disturbing the airflow over the wing. When deployed, they trip the smooth upper-surface flow into turbulence, causing the wing to shed lift and operate at a lower lift coefficient for the same airspeed. This helps the airplane descend or slow down without increasing speed, and the disruption also increases drag as the flow becomes more turbulent. They don’t increase lift, and they don’t change the wing’s camber—the wing shape is fixed, while spoilers alter the flow characteristics to reduce lift.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy