Definition
A movable, high-lift device located on the leading edge of a wing that, when extended, opens a slot between itself and the wing to allow smooth airflow over the upper surface at high angles of attack, delaying stall and increasing lift at low airspeeds.
Plain English
A small panel along the front edge of the wing that slides forward during takeoff and landing. It lets the wing keep flying smoothly when the airplane is going slowly or pointed up at a steep angle.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of wing construction, high-lift devices, takeoff and landing configuration, and aircraft maintenance inspections.
Derivation
From the Old English 'slat,' meaning a thin, flat strip of wood or metal. The aviation use keeps that idea: a thin, flat panel that moves out ahead of the wing.
Why Pilots Care
Enables safe low-speed flight, shorter takeoff and landing distances, and better handling margins near the ground.
Intuition Check
A slat is not just any thin strip on an airplane. In this context, it is a specific wing panel that moves to change airflow over the wing.
Example Sentence 1
As the airliner configured for landing, the slats extended from the leading edge of each wing, followed by the flaps.
Example Sentence 2
During the walk-around the pilot checked that both slats moved freely on their tracks.