Flight control

Airbus is planning its first flight tests later this year of ‘mini-flaps’ for aircraft wings, designed to reduce drag during take-off and increase stability by adapting to wind conditions.

The small trailing edge control devices, which measure just a few centimetres across and can rapidly deflect, could offer an effective way to change the aerodynamics of the wing’s trailing edge.

The flaps have been developed as part of the 80m Euro (£55m), four-year Awiator (Aircraft Wing With Advanced Technology Operation) project, which is due to be completed in 2007. Awiator, led by Airbus Germany, is investigating technologies to create lighter, intelligent aircraft that can respond to changing conditions.

The devices will be installed on Airbus’ A340 test aircraft over the next month or two. Flight tests are planned for the second half of the year, and will last until the end of 2005, said Rolf Henke, Awiator project co-ordinator at Airbus Germany. ‘We will modify the flaps and install these mini-flaps on to the modified flaps,’ he said.