What is the purpose of extending wing flaps on an airplane?

Extending wing flaps on an airplane primarily serves to provide greater lift and generate more drag. This enhanced lift is particularly beneficial during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. When flaps are extended, the shape of the wing is altered, allowing the aircraft to achieve sufficient lift at lower speeds. This is crucial for safe operations during landing approaches or takeoff, where maintaining lift at lower airspeeds can prevent stalling.

The increased drag produced by the flaps is a natural consequence of their design; while drag may seem undesirable, it actually helps in decelerating the aircraft and stabilizing it during descent phases. Therefore, the ability to increase lift while also managing drag is a key purpose of deploying flaps on an aircraft.