What is the maximum altitude with the flaps extended?

What is the maximum altitude with the flaps extended?

• A. 18,000'
• B. 15,000'
• C. 19,000'
• D. 20,000'

Answer: (A)

Flaps are high‑lift devices that change the aircraft’s lift, drag, and stall characteristics. When they’re extended, the airplane becomes less efficient at high altitudes because the air is thinner and the margins for safe flight with a heavy drag penalty shrink. To keep airplane handling, stall margins, and structural loads within tested and certified limits, there’s a published ceiling for operating with flaps still extended. For this model, that ceiling is 18,000 feet. Beyond that altitude, you’re expected to retract the flaps to clean configuration to maintain safe climb and cruise performance. So, the maximum altitude you can fly with flaps extended is 18,000 feet.

Flaps are high‑lift devices that change the aircraft’s lift, drag, and stall characteristics. When they’re extended, the airplane becomes less efficient at high altitudes because the air is thinner and the margins for safe flight with a heavy drag penalty shrink. To keep airplane handling, stall margins, and structural loads within tested and certified limits, there’s a published ceiling for operating with flaps still extended. For this model, that ceiling is 18,000 feet. Beyond that altitude, you’re expected to retract the flaps to clean configuration to maintain safe climb and cruise performance. So, the maximum altitude you can fly with flaps extended is 18,000 feet.