Definition
The process of moving the wing flaps from a deployed (extended) position back to a stowed (up) position, typically performed in stages after takeoff or during a go-around to reduce drag and allow the airplane to accelerate and climb more efficiently.
Plain English
Pulling the flaps back up into the wing after they were lowered. This is done step by step once the airplane has enough speed to climb without them.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter flap retraction during configuration changes after takeoff, after landing, and when abandoning a landing and climbing away.
Derivation
Retraction comes from the Latin retrahere, meaning 'to draw back.' The flaps are literally being drawn back into the wing.
Why Pilots Care
Retracting flaps at the correct speed reduces drag, improves climb performance, and prevents a sudden loss of lift that could occur if flaps are raised too early or too quickly.
Grounding Statement
When the flaps come up, the airplane usually has less drag, but it may also have less lift at the same speed.
Intuition Check
Do not think of flap retraction as just putting something away. It is a flight-control change that affects lift, drag, and pitch.
Example Sentence 1
After establishing a positive rate of climb and reaching the recommended airspeed, the pilot began flap retraction in stages.
Example Sentence 2
During a go-around the pilot delayed flap retraction until the aircraft had stabilized at the recommended climb speed.