Modern airplanes are designed with a variety of flight control surfaces, two of which include airbrakes and spoilers. They both consist of hinged devices that, when deployed, affect flight characteristics. What are airbrakes and spoilers exactly, and how do they differ?
What Are Airbrakes?
Also known as speed brakes, air brakes are flight control surfaces that are used to increase drag. Pilots typically use them to slow down the airplane. When preparing to land, for instance, pilots may deploy the airplane’s airbrakes. As the airbrakes extend out from their original position, they will create additional drag that slows down the airplane without affecting the airplane’s altitude or pitch.
Drag is the force that counters an airplane’s movement through the air. It’s a form of resistance. All airplanes are exposed to drag. Air and rain, for example, create drag that counters the airplane’s movement through the air. Even differences in air pressure can create drag. Pilots can create more drag by deploying the airplane’s airbrakes.
What Are Spoilers?
Soilers are flight control surfaces that are used to decrease lift. They work by disrupting the flow of air over the airplane’s wings.
Lift, of course, is the force that keeps airplanes in the air. It essentially counters the airplane’s weight so that the airplane doesn’t fall out of the sky. There are instances, though, in which pilots may want to reduce the amount of lift produced by the airplane. By deploying the airplane’s spoilers, pilots can achieve less lift.
Differences Between Airbrakes and Spoilers
While they are both flight control surfaces, airbrakes and spoilers aren’t the same. One of the main differences between airbrakes and spoilers is their purpose. Airbrakes are used to increase drag, whereas spoilers are used to decrease lift.
Airbrakes and spoilers are also located in different areas. Airbrakes are typically located on the back of the fuselage near the tail assembly. Spoilers, on the other hand, are located on the trailing edge of the airplane’s wings.
Another difference between airbrakes and spoilers is the size. Airbrakes are smaller than spoilers. They are smaller hinged devices compared to spoilers.
In Conclusion
Whether you’re a pilot or an aviation enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of spoilers and airbrakes. They are flight control surfaces that, when deployed, change the flight characteristics of the airplane. Airbrakes increase drag when deployed, whereas spoilers reduce lift when deployed.
