14.10 What are the "flaps" on the leading edge of 747 wings?
From FlightSim
THE LEADING EDGE OF THE 747 WING APPEARS TO HAVE FLAPS! ARE THESE OPERATED BY THE TRIM CONTROL, AND WHAT ARE THEY FOR?
The 747 has "Krueger Flaps" on the inboard leading edge and variable camber flaps on the outboard leading edge. They are there to increase the area and the contour of the wing giving additional lift during takeoff and landing. They are hinged at the forward end and swing forward when activated. They are generally deployed to balance the aft flaps. This keeps the Center of Lift approximately in the same place also.
Bob Fiedler
_____ and _____ they are operated by the flap lever.
First "Flap" selection extends slats --- then --usually full slats and some
flap --- and finally the rest of the flap.
For all practical purposes, just treat it all as flaps.
William R. Bray
The first version of leading edge flaps I know of were used on that
little twin engine jet fighter the germans had toward the end of the
war. They were mounted on some kind of counterweighted pivot
mechanism and just swung down when the right landing airspeed,
attitude was reached.
Pete Forrest
