Does it help an airplane climb if you deflect the flap a little bit?
In a word, no.
Do Flaps Make Lift?
A common thought is that deploying wing flaps will improve climb rate. But is it true?
Key Takeaways:
- Deflecting flaps does not help an airplane climb; climbing is achieved through excess power, not increased lift.
- Flaps typically increase drag, which reduces an aircraft's climb rate, and their effect on lowering stalling speed is irrelevant for the speed optimal for best climb rate.
- A small flap deflection can offer a negligible safety margin for best angle of climb or minimum-radius turns, but any performance gain is imperceptible.
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