Book 23, Question 67
How Do Airplanes Slow Down So Fast After They Land?
A landing plane rushes down the runway. Then it slows down quickly. It uses several tools at once! A big jet can stop from 150 miles per hour in about a mile of runway.
More fun facts
- Spoilers are small hinged plates on top of the wings.
- When they flip up, they disturb the air over the wing.
- That adds drag and takes away lift.
- After landing, pilots raise the spoilers to keep the plane pressed onto the runway.
- With less lift, the tires grip better, so the brakes work better.
Sources: NASA
Questions kids ask
Can spoilers help a plane turn?
Yes. Raising a spoiler on just one wing makes that wing drop, which banks the plane.