Editing Wing loading (section)

===Flaps===
Like all aircraft flaps, Fowler [[Flap (aeronautics)#Types|flaps]] increase the [[camber (aerodynamics)|camber]] and hence the maximum value of lift coefficient (''C''<sub>Lmax</sub>) lowering the landing speed. They also increase wing area, decreasing the wing loading, which further lowers the landing speed.<ref>Anderson 1999, pp. 30–1</ref>

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High lift devices such as certain flaps allow the option of smaller wings to be used in a design in order to achieve similar landing speeds compared to an alternate design using a larger wing without a high lift device. Such options allow for higher wing loading in a design. This may result in beneficial features, such as higher cruise speeds or a reduction in bumpiness at high speed low altitude flight (the latter feature is very important for close air support aircraft roles). For instance, Lockheed's [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter|Starfighter]] uses internal [[Blown flap | Blown flaps]] to achieve a high wing loading design (723 kg/m²) which allows it a much smoother low altitude flight at full throttle speeds compared to low wing loading delta designs such as the Mirage 2000 or Mirage III (387 kg/m²). The F-16 which has a relatively high wing loading of 689 kg/m² uses [[Leading-edge extension|leading-edge extensions]] to increase wing lift at high angles of attack.