Leading Edge High Lift Devices for Agricultural Aircraft

This paper covers the results of a series of analytic and test programs on the installation of fixed leading-edge slats to standard agricultural aircraft. The results show that very considerable improvements in performance and safety are possible with relatively simple slat configurations. So-called “thin” single-surface slats were found to perform as well as more complex conventional slats for this particular application. The “thin” slats have a number of advantages in cost and weight, and in their ability to be retrofitted to existing aircraft.

The application of “thin” slat technology - both fixed and automatic - to a broader range of general aviation aircraft would seem to have a great deal of merit for improving safety and performance.