What is the primary purpose of stall strips on an airplane wing?

Stall strips are small protrusions or modifications added to the leading edge of an airplane wing. Their primary purpose is to ensure that the airflow over the wing begins to separate and stall first at the wing root, which is the part of the wing closest to the fuselage. This design is crucial because it allows pilots to maintain aileron effectiveness, which is vital for controlled flight, especially during critical phases such as takeoff and landing.

By stalling the wing root first, stall strips create a situation where the outer sections of the wing remain effective for a longer period. This helps prevent an uncontrolled roll towards one side, which could lead to a dangerous situation. The design encourages a more gradual stall and gives pilots better handling characteristics during this critical situation, allowing for more controlled recovery actions.

Other options, while related to wing performance, do not accurately reflect the primary function of stall strips. For example, improving aerodynamic efficiency or enhancing lift are more general goals of wing design and do not specifically pertain to the stall characteristics influenced by stall strips. Similarly, while aircraft stability is certainly important, the specific role of stall strips is more aligned with ensuring controlled flight through proper stall progression.