Clean configuration
Encyclopedia
Clean configuration refers to the flight configuration of an fixed-wing aircraft
when its external equipment is retracted to minimize drag and thus maximize speed for a given power setting.
flaps and landing gear
are retracted as these are the cause of drag due to the lack of streamlined shape. On more complex airplanes, it also means that other devices on the wings (such as slats, spoilers, and leading edge flaps) are retracted. Clean configuration is used for normal cruising at altitude during which lift, or rise in altitude, is temporarily not needed. However, during takeoff
and landing
, slower speeds and lift are needed, so the landing gear and flaps are extended.
.
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
when its external equipment is retracted to minimize drag and thus maximize speed for a given power setting.
Application
For most airplanes, clean configuration means simply that the wingWing
A wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
flaps and landing gear
Landing Gear
Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
are retracted as these are the cause of drag due to the lack of streamlined shape. On more complex airplanes, it also means that other devices on the wings (such as slats, spoilers, and leading edge flaps) are retracted. Clean configuration is used for normal cruising at altitude during which lift, or rise in altitude, is temporarily not needed. However, during takeoff
Takeoff
Takeoff is the phase of flight in which an aerospace vehicle goes from the ground to flying in the air.For horizontal takeoff aircraft this usually involves starting with a transition from moving along the ground on a runway. For balloons, helicopters and some specialized fixed-wing aircraft , no...
and landing
Landing
thumb|A [[Mute Swan]] alighting. Note the ruffled feathers on top of the wings indicate that the swan is flying at the [[Stall |stall]]ing speed...
, slower speeds and lift are needed, so the landing gear and flaps are extended.
Related terms
"Dirty configuration", an airplane will be in dirty configuration with landing gear, flaps, and other devices extended. This creates drag, but the trade-off is that the flaps and similar devices change the shape of the wing and produce more lift than would otherwise be generated at the lower airspeedAirspeed
Airspeed is the speed of an aircraft relative to the air. Among the common conventions for qualifying airspeed are: indicated airspeed , calibrated airspeed , true airspeed , equivalent airspeed and density airspeed....
.