Which flaps should start down first and be brought up last to permit use of outboard ailerons during flaps down low speed flight?

Which flaps should start down first and be brought up last to permit use of outboard ailerons during flaps down low speed flight?

• A. outboard
• B. inboard
• C. midboard
• D. all

Answer: (A)

Flap sequencing affects how well the outer ailerons can work when flaps are deployed at low speed. On aircraft with outboard ailerons, you want to preserve roll control on the wingtip while the flaps are down. If the inner or mid flaps move down first, the wing’s airflow and lift distribution shift in a way that can reduce the effectiveness of the outer ailerons sooner. By making the outer flaps the first to go down and the last to come up, you keep the outer wing section more predictable for the aileron to work with, maintaining better roll authority during flap-down, low-speed flight.

Flap sequencing affects how well the outer ailerons can work when flaps are deployed at low speed. On aircraft with outboard ailerons, you want to preserve roll control on the wingtip while the flaps are down. If the inner or mid flaps move down first, the wing’s airflow and lift distribution shift in a way that can reduce the effectiveness of the outer ailerons sooner. By making the outer flaps the first to go down and the last to come up, you keep the outer wing section more predictable for the aileron to work with, maintaining better roll authority during flap-down, low-speed flight.