What is the function of stall strips on an airplane wing?

Stall strips are small devices affixed to the leading edge of an aircraft's wing and serve a critical aerodynamic role. Their main function is to control the airflow over the wing, especially during a stall condition, which is when the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack and can no longer sustain lift efficiently.

When stall strips are installed on an aircraft wing, they are engineered to ensure that the airflow separation occurs at the wing root, or inner portion of the wing, before it does at the wing tips. This design choice is significant for several reasons. By causing the wing root to stall first, stall strips promote a more controllable and predictable stall behavior in the aircraft, allowing the pilot to maintain control as the aircraft approaches the limits of its aerodynamic capabilities. The stall typically begins at the root, where the wing is closest to the aircraft centerline, which is beneficial for maintaining aileron effectiveness and preventing a sudden loss of control that could occur if the tips stalled first.

This aerodynamic characteristic contributes to overall safety during flight, particularly during slow-speed maneuvers or when approaching landing. The successful implementation of stall strips helps pilots to manage stall recovery more effectively, which is essential for safe aircraft operation.

The other options consider functions like increasing lift or