Flaperon
A
flaperon is a type of
control surface that combines aspects of both
flaps and
ailerons. In addition to controlling the
roll or bank of an airplane like conventional ailerons, both flaperons can be lowered together to function much the same as a dedicated set of flaps would.
The pilot still has separate controls for ailerons and flaps at his disposal. A mixer is used to combine the separate pilot input into this single set of control surfaces called flaperons. The use of flaperons instead of separate ailerons and flaps can reduce the weight of an aircraft. The complexity is transferred from having a double set of control surfaces (flaps & ailerons) to the mixer.
Many designs that incorporate flaperons mount the control surfaces away from the wing so as to provide undisturbed airflow at high angles of attack or low airspeeds.
Flaperons are sometimes referred to as "Junker Flaperons".
Several notable experimental aircraft use flaperons including the Zenith
STOL CH 701, the
Kitfox and the
RJ.03 IBIS.
The anatomy of a STOL Design by Chris Heintz[
1]
