If all, or a significant part of a stall strip is missing on an airplane wing, a likely result will be

If all, or a significant part of a stall strip is missing on an airplane wing, a likely result will be

• A. Loss of lift at all speeds
• B. Asymmetrical lateral control at or near stall angles of attack
• C. Immediate wing failure
• D. No effect on flight characteristics

Answer: (C)

Stall strips are used to make the wing stall start at a known, predictable location (usually near the root) so the stall progresses from inside outward and the ailerons remain effective longer. If a stall strip is missing on one wing, that wing’s boundary layer won’t be tripped there and its stall characteristics will differ from the other wing. As you approach the stall, one wing may begin to lose lift before the other, creating a rolling moment and degraded lateral control. This asymmetry near the stall is the most likely result, rather than an immediate structural failure or a complete loss of lift at all speeds.

Stall strips are used to make the wing stall start at a known, predictable location (usually near the root) so the stall progresses from inside outward and the ailerons remain effective longer. If a stall strip is missing on one wing, that wing’s boundary layer won’t be tripped there and its stall characteristics will differ from the other wing. As you approach the stall, one wing may begin to lose lift before the other, creating a rolling moment and degraded lateral control. This asymmetry near the stall is the most likely result, rather than an immediate structural failure or a complete loss of lift at all speeds.