Definition
A flap setting that uses less than the maximum available flap extension during an approach and landing. The pilot selects an intermediate flap position rather than full flaps to maintain a higher approach airspeed and better controllability in turbulent conditions.
Plain English
Lowering the wing flaps only part of the way down instead of all the way, so the airplane flies a bit faster and is easier to control when the air is rough.
Context Anchor
Seen during approach and landing discussions, especially for gusty or turbulent conditions where the airplane’s operating handbook may call for less than full flaps.
Derivation
Partial comes from the idea of a “part,” meaning less than the whole amount. In this term, it means only part of the full flap range is being used.
Why Pilots Care
Partial settings give a useful increase in lift and drag while keeping better aileron response and a more stable pitch attitude than full flaps in rough air.
Intuition Check
Partial wing flaps does not mean broken flaps or uneven flaps. It means a normal selected flap position that is less than full.
Example Sentence 1
Because of the gusty crosswind, the pilot flew the approach with partial wing flaps to keep a higher airspeed and better aileron response.
Example Sentence 2
Full flaps would have caused too much drag, so the approach was flown with partial wing flaps instead.