The Fairey Hamble Baby was the first aircraft to fly with flaps, although the trailing-edge flap itself had been invented two years earlier in 1908 by Henri Farman. Fairey began incorporating flaps in its production airplanes in 1916, establishing an early practice that would evolve significantly over the next decades. Around 1920, Harlan Davey Fowler invented the Fowler flap, a design that would become pivotal in aviation history. Early adopters of this innovation included the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Boeing B-29 Superfortress, and Lockheed P-38 Lightning, each incorporating the Fowler flap to enhance lift and control during takeoff and landing.
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
Who invented airplane flaps?
The trailing-edge flap was invented in 1908 by Henri Farman. Split flaps were developed by Orville Wright in 1920. The Fowler flap was invented by Harlan D. Fowler in 1924. Krueger flaps were invented by Werner Krueger in 1943.
What was the first plane to have flaps?
Fairey Hamble Baby was the first aircraft to fly with flaps. Fairey Aviation Company included Patent Camber Changing Gear in the design. Breguet XIV was the first aircraft with landing flaps as we know them today.
Which aircraft uses Fowler flaps?The first aircraft fitted with the Fowler flap was the German Fieseler Fi 97, used in 1937. Other early adopters of the Fowler flap included the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra, the Boeing B 17 Flying Fortress, and the Boeing B 29 Superfortress. Advanced technology general aviation aircraft also rely on this invention. The Czech designed Kappa KP 5 and a few small airplanes use Fowler flaps, while the Wren 460 is the only GA aircraft built with full length double slotted Fowler flaps.
High performance aircraft of all types continue to feature Fowler flaps. Several recent Gulfstream models, the Boeing 747, the Airbus A350, and the A380 employ them, and a variation of the Fowler flap system is a feature of essentially all jet transport aircraft. Many modern passenger planes still use Fowler flaps, whether single slotted, double slotted, or multiple slotted.
