What are the differences between flaps and ailerons on a plane.?

Question

I thought these were the same thing

Answer 1

Flaps are used during landing and/or takeoff to allow the wings to create greater lift at lower speeds by changing the camber (shape) of the wing. They also increase drag for landing. Flaps are located on the inboard section of the wing.

Ailerons are on the outer trailing edge of the wing. They are used for turning (roll control). The ailerons are coupled so that when one swings up the other swings down.

If you are flying on the left side of a plane and can see the wing, you will notice when the left aileron moves down, the left wing will rise--causing the airplane to turn right.  If you were sitting on the right side, you would see the right aileron move up, causing the right wing to sink during the same right turn.

Answer 2

Expert website says.....

http://www.mikesrv9a.com/flaps_ailerons....

Answer 3

Flaps slow the aircraft down so it can land safely.Ailerons are hinged control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. The ailerons are used to control the aircraft in roll. The two ailerons are typically interconnected so that one goes down when the other goes up: the down-going aileron increases the lift on its wing while the up-going aileron reduces the lift on the other wing, producing a rolling moment about the aircraft's longitudinal axis. The word aileron is French for "little wing."

Answer 4

Both are found on the wing. Flaps are inboard of the wing and operate together increasing lift for take off and landing. Ailerons are found on the outboard side of the wing and as one side goes up the opposite side goes down banking the aircraft and allowing balanced turns.

Answer 5

all of you idiots are wrong expect a select few

Flaps are used to help/create lift at slower speeds. The ailerons basically help a airplane turn in the air.

Answer 6

flaps are used for take-off and landing and ailerons are used for steering

Answer 7

both are on the wing, flaps work together to "increase" the surface area of the wing. Thus, creating greater lift and a different angle of attack.  Ailerons, work OPPOSITE of each other and bank or "roll" the airplane left and right.

Answer 8

From my degree, flaps assist in take off creating lift etc.

and are inboard on the wing.

Ailerons on the outer side of the wing control the plane through maneuovered banks and turns

Answer 9

ailerons are used to control the plane, Flaps are used to create more up thrust on the plane so it can dip the nose more for a landing or still stay in the air at lower speed.

Answer 10

don't forget the flaperons too

Answer 11

OH MY GOD! I hope you are not piloting my holiday flight next week!

Answer 12

Flap extension usually changes the  the wing camber, wing area, and wing angle of incidence.    

Aileron deflection is for control of roll, not turn.

Answer 13

Ailerons are primary flight controls, along with the rudder and elevators. The three control movement around the three axis of the aircraft while in motion.

Flaps are secondary flight controls, or lifting devices that change the camber and cord length of the wing. Allowing more lift and adding drag. This allows for slower speeds without stalling for landing and shorter take off rolls.

Answer 14

flaps are well, flaps on the wing that augment the wing's surface in order to create more lift. they also cause more drag.

ailerons are the little moving surfaces at the ends of the wings to make the aircraft bank by directing the air flow up or down to force the wing up or down thus banking the aircraft.

ailerons can be flaps in some instances on some aircraft particularly fighter aircraft.

Answer 15

Most people are wrong , anyway , ailerons deflect airflow and turn the aircraft on the horizontal axis. Flaps are used to increase the camber of the wing and create more lift action. They are also used to increase drag so you can descend faster without increasing speed.