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Mornin' Doug...!
Thanks for the info... ...!
So all my little babies have "Plain Flaps"....sorted... ...!
"Plain" I like, as in plain English, plain flour, etc,.. ...!
LOL...LOL...LOL...!

Cheers mate, have a good week-end... 8)...!
Paul.
(Hereford).

Hi guys
           On this question on the purpose of flaps, if you will allow me l'm put on my old airframe fitter's hat from my R.A.F. days. as l remember it the use of flaps is all tied in with the theory of lift, and we cover that sort of thing in the airframe course. 
          Flaps increase lift, but as lift and drag are tied together and work in opposite directions the use of flaps also increases drag.  To counter the increase in drag when the flaps are lowered the pilot adds a little power. Anytime you fly on a commercial flight you will notice as the flaps are lowered the engines will run up a touch.
         it is also correct that Concorde does not have flaps, neither has the Vulcan.  Their large delta wing also acts as a huge airbrake.  l can remember many years ago sitting by the side of the runway at St Athan in South Wales watching the vulcan land. when the main wheels settled on the runway the pilot would lift the nose. The huge delta would trap the air beneath and the aircraft would almost stop dead on the spot, quite a sight.  So there we go flaps increase lift, but also increase drag.

So, I guess the moral of the story, AstroGeek, is that you and your friend were both right, in a way.

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If I was dealing with a tread, I'd keep it on the tires of my car..........get better traction with good tread....... ???     

Here is the lowdown.....lift is a function of airfoil shape, wingspan, wing area(varied by Fowler flaps and leading edge flap droop and open slots to keep airflow attached), angle of attack(Varied by amount of Fowler flap deployed), and airspeed, and then has drag acting upon it and is varied by Fowler flap, lead edge flap, and spoiler deploymemt......
Quite simple, .........innit ?.......

As for the "lift" being developed by either the upper or lower surface, you can develop your own theory which is more important, as its a pressure differential which always moves a high pressure area into a low pressure area.........high under the wing trying to move towards the low pressure above the wing, which in turn supports the weight of the A/C.......

There is also another school of thought which has a different view on this and its more like surfing on water than pressure differentials....but thats a whole, 'nother ball of wax...........   ???

Those canoes you speak of are actually the streamlining fairings for the sliding rails which contain the moveable pivot points for the mult-slotted Fowler flaps .....they slide back and pivot down, to do their intended job......

Than ks for a  the rep lies guys!! I got ever ything n ow! ! And I learned a little extra along the way i n how Conorde don't have flaps, but  use the del ta wing to brak e, very  coo l!

Th anks again guys, for everything!

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Well, I got myself into enough trouble with deltas & that was only cos Concorde was mentioned. I think AstroGeek is happy now so maybe we'd better leave it there. Given the opportunity, us "barrack room" aerodynamics experts could go on for hours & bore the pants off everyone.