One of the most influential cockpit levers on a jet’s take-off is the flap handle. Hinged panels at the wing’s trailing and leading edges transform a sleek airfoil into a low-speed lift sail.

What is a jet aircraft? How does it fly? What's a black box? Why are flaps so important during takeoff? Where is the fuel stored? Wing Commander (Retd) V Ravi, a veteran with 20+ years in the Indian ...