Editing Flight control surfaces (section)

=== Air brakes ===
[[File:Eurowings bae146-300 d-aewb arp.jpg|thumb|right|Air brakes on the rear fuselage of a [[Eurowings]] [[British Aerospace 146|BAe 146-300]]]]
{{Main|Air brake (aeronautics)}}

Air brakes are used to increase drag. Spoilers might act as air brakes, but are not pure air brakes as they also function as lift-dumpers or in some cases as roll control surfaces. Air brakes are usually surfaces that deflect outwards from the fuselage (in most cases symmetrically on opposing sides) into the airstream in order to increase form-drag. As they are in most cases located elsewhere on the aircraft, they do not directly affect the lift generated by the wing. Their purpose is to slow down the aircraft. They are particularly useful when a high rate of descent is required. They are common on high performance military aircraft as well as civilian aircraft, especially those lacking reverse thrust capability.