Definition
Smooth, streamlined covers fitted around the flap tracks, hinges, and operating mechanisms on the wing. They reduce aerodynamic drag by enclosing the protruding hardware that extends and retracts the flaps, allowing air to flow cleanly over the wing surface.
Plain English
These are the smooth, shaped covers on the underside or trailing edge of the wing that hide the moving parts of the flaps. Their job is to let air slide over the wing more cleanly, so the airplane flies more efficiently.
Context Anchor
You may see this term during a preflight inspection, in aircraft damage notes, or in a configuration deviation list that says whether the airplane may fly with a fairing missing or damaged.
Derivation
A 'fairing' comes from the old shipbuilding word 'to fair,' meaning to smooth or shape something so it flows nicely. In aviation it carries the same idea: a shaped cover that smooths the airflow over a bump or joint on the airframe.
Why Pilots Care
A missing flap fairing increases drag and may affect performance limits, so the CDL must be consulted before flight.
Grounding Statement
On many airplanes, flaps fairings look like small smooth pods or covers attached to the wing near the parts that the flaps move on.
Intuition Check
If the text says a flaps fairing is missing, think “cover missing,” not “flap missing.” The flaps may still work, but the missing cover can affect airflow and performance.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot noticed one of the flaps fairings was cracked and checked the Configuration Deviation List to see if the airplane could be dispatched.
Example Sentence 2
After maintenance replaced the damaged flap fairings, the aircraft returned to normal climb performance.