What is the relationship between stall speed and CLmax when flaps are deployed?

Study for the NIFE Aerodynamics Exam. Dive into a range of multiple choice questions designed to test your understanding of aerodynamics. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to boost your preparation for the main exam.

When flaps are deployed, the maximum lift coefficient (CLmax) of the wing increases. This is due to the additional lift generated by the flaps, which allows the wing to maintain smooth airflow at higher angles of attack before reaching a stall condition.

Stall speed is defined as the minimum speed at which an aircraft can maintain controlled flight. It's associated with the lift being equal to the weight of the aircraft. When CLmax increases, the wing can produce more lift for a given angle of attack, which means the aircraft can achieve lift at a lower airspeed. Therefore, with the increase in CLmax due to flap deployment, the stall speed decreases.

This relationship highlights that by lowering stall speed, deploying flaps makes the aircraft more maneuverable during low-speed phases of flight, such as landing and takeoff. Hence, the correct assertion is that stall speed decreases with an increase in CLmax when flaps are deployed.

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