What is the significance of stall characteristics when flaps are extended versus retracted?

• A. Flap configuration affects stall characteristics and stall speed; pilots should be familiar with both configurations.
• B. Flaps do not affect stall speed; only wings generate lift.
• C. Stalls with flaps always occur at higher speeds than without.
• D. Flaps once extended remove stall risk.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that flap configuration changes how a wing behaves as it reaches the stall, including the speed at which stall occurs and the feel of the stall. Extending flaps increases wing camber and lift at lower speeds, which lowers the stall speed and changes the stall characteristics compared to flaps and the wing in the clean configuration. Because the lift curve and the way the wing stalls can be different with flaps down, a pilot must know how each setup behaves and be prepared to handle stalls in both conditions—during takeoff/landing when flaps are used and during cruise with flaps up. The notion that stalls with flaps always occur at higher speeds isn’t correct; usually flaps allow the airplane to stall at a lower airspeed, though the stall can still be abrupt or exhibit different onset behavior. And extending flaps does not eliminate stall risk; it reduces stall speed but does not remove the possibility of a stall altogether.