What role do slats play on an aircraft wing?

Slats are located on the leading edge of an aircraft wing and are specifically designed to enhance the wing's aerodynamic performance at slower speeds, particularly during takeoff and landing phases. When deployed, slats increase the curvature of the airfoil, allowing the wing to maintain smoother airflow even at higher angles of attack. This results in a significant increase in lift, which is crucial for maintaining control and stability during low-speed operations where the risk of stalling is higher.

Using slats effectively enables aircraft to operate safely at lower speeds without compromising their lift capabilities, which is essential for safe takeoffs and landings. This feature is particularly important for larger aircraft, which require a greater lift-to-weight ratio during these critical phases of flight.