Provided by FlightSafety International

When flaps are retracted, an airplane's wing will stall at an angle of attack that is:

 

A) Less than if the flaps are extended.

B) Greater than if the flaps are extended.

C) The same as if the flaps are extended.

D) Flap settings do not matter. Causing the wing to stall is dependent only upon airspeed.

Correct Answer: B) Greater than if the flaps are extended.

 

Since the curvature and surface area of a wing are at their minimum when flaps are retracted, the angle of attack can be greater before the wing stalls. Would it be safer to perform takeoffs and landings with the flaps retracted to take advantage of the wing being able to reach a higher angle of attack before stalling? No, since the increased lift that comes from extending the flaps allows us to take off and land at lower speeds and in shorter distances.