Definition
The full or near-full extension of the wing flaps used during the landing approach and touchdown. This setting produces the greatest increase in lift and drag available from the flap system, allowing a slower approach speed and a steeper descent path without gaining airspeed.
Plain English
The flaps lowered all the way (or close to it) for landing. This lets the airplane fly slower and come down more steeply so it can land in a shorter distance.
Context Anchor
You encounter this term when configuring the airplane for the final part of an approach and landing.
Derivation
“Landing” comes from the idea of bringing an aircraft down onto land or a landing surface. “Flap” originally referred to something that hangs or moves loosely; in aviation, it became the name for a movable part of the wing. Together, “landing flaps” points to the wing flaps positioned for the landing phase.
Why Pilots Care
Using the correct landing-flap setting reduces approach speed, shortens landing distance, and improves control on final approach.
Intuition Check
Landing flaps does not mean a separate set of flaps used only after the wheels touch down. It means the flap setting selected before and during landing.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the pilot called for landing flaps and trimmed the airplane for the published approach speed.
Example Sentence 2
With landing flaps set, the airplane could maintain a steeper glide path without gaining excess speed.