On a large jet transport aircraft where leading edge devices cannot be deployed, the approach should be flown at which condition?

• A. Higher than normal speed and Lower AOA
• B. Lower than normal speed and Higher AOA
• C. Normal speed and normal AOA
• D. Higher speed and higher AOA

Answer: (A)

When leading edge devices aren’t available, the wing can’t generate as much lift at a given angle of attack, so the stall speed effectively rises. To compensate, you need more dynamic pressure, which comes from flying faster. At the same time, you can keep the angle of attack lower and still produce the required lift because the higher speed provides the extra airflow lifting the same wing area without pushing the wing into a high-AOA regime. So, the safest, most effective approach is to fly at higher than normal speed while keeping the angle of attack lower than you would with full devices. Slower speeds would force a higher angle of attack to maintain lift, increasing stall risk; normal speed and AOA wouldn’t provide enough lift given the reduced device effectiveness; and higher speed with a higher angle of attack isn’t desirable because it risks overloading the wing and brings you closer to stall.