Definition
A control surface on the trailing edge of a wing that performs the functions of both a flap and an aileron. It can be lowered symmetrically with the surface on the opposite wing to increase lift and drag like a flap, and deflected differentially (one up, one down) to provide roll control like an aileron.
Plain English
A single wing surface that does two jobs at once. It can drop down on both wings together to help the airplane fly slower for landing, and it can also move up on one wing and down on the other to roll the airplane left or right.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft flight-control descriptions, preflight inspections, and pilot operating handbooks for airplanes that use combined flap-and-aileron surfaces.
Derivation
A blend of 'flap' and 'aileron' — the name itself tells you the surface combines both functions.
Why Pilots Care
Simplifies wing construction and control linkage while still providing both lift augmentation on landing and roll authority in flight.
Analogy
Imagine one movable panel on each wing that can droop together like flaps or tilt opposite each other like ailerons, depending on what the pilot commands.
Grounding Statement
Picture one movable panel along the back of the wing doing two jobs: helping the airplane slow down and helping it bank.
Intuition Check
A flaperon is not a separate flap and a separate aileron working near each other. It is one control surface designed to perform both functions.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, he lowered the flaperons to slow the aircraft and steepen the descent.
Example Sentence 2
Rolling the control stick moved the flaperons in opposite directions to bank the aircraft.