Flap and Slat Control Systems

The configuration of the control system for flap and slat is similar.

Each surface is supported on tracks and driven by 2 rotary or ball screw actuators. The actuators are connected to a transmission system that is centrally controlled from a power drive unit.

First movement of the flap surfaces, extends the wing area to increase lift, further movement droops the surface to provide drag, dramatically changing the characteristics of the wing.

The slat surfaces modify the airflow over the wing to cope with these changes. The pilot controls the flap and slat system from a lever in the cockpit that can be used to request a flap angle. This requires demanding monitoring requirements to achieve the safety levels and deliver a high availability of the complex mechanical system.

Features:

• Enable the aircraft to take off and land at reduced airspeeds
• Utilise rotary and/or linear actuators
• Choice of electrically and hydraulically powered systems
• Electrically powered systems already specified on today's programmes controlled by the secondary flight control computer