Expert: Paul Ruderham - 9/14/2006

Question
Is it dangerous for an airplane to have an uncommanded slat deployment? Will it cause the airplane to go out of control?

Answer
hi kevin, sorry for the delay. been in france for a week just got back tonite.

it was a theory among pilots that extending the slats during climb would make the areoplane climb faster as they are designed to give increased lift on take off and allow the aircraft to fly slowly during approach and landing.

extending them at high speed would cause a catasrophe. the aircraft would more than likely nose up violently and stall not to mention the stress on the slats would probably cause them to break off.

regards
pr