India, Aug. 17 -- When flying in an aircraft, you may have always noticed that the flaps on the wing are deployed before landing. Have you ever wondered why that happens? The pilot often engages two flaps - one that rises on the upper wing and one that extends below. In HT Lifestyle's edition of 'Everyday Explained' for today, let's learn the function of these wing flaps.

The aerodynamic flaps and spoilers were added to airplanes around the 1940s. When a flight begins its descent, spoilers are deployed to create drag, reducing the aircraft's speed while landing. These spoilers can reduce lift, disrupt airflow, increase drag, help the aircraft descend, and, after landing, help put more weight onto the wheels for better braking. They also ...