ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Variable-camber wing

Variable-camber wings are a type of airplane wing that can change shape while the plane is flying. Think of it like a Transformers toy that can change from a robot to a vehicle.

Now, let's say you're flying in an airplane with a regular wing. That wing is fixed in its shape, meaning it cannot change. But sometimes, depending on the situation, it would be helpful for the wing to change shape in order to make the plane fly better. This is where the variable-camber wing comes in.

Imagine a piece of paper that you can fold in half, and each time you fold it, it changes shape. That's how a variable-camber wing works. It has small flaps on the back edge of the wing that can move up or down, changing the shape of the wing.

So, if the plane needs to take off, the flaps on the wing can move down, which makes the wing wider and creates more lift, allowing the plane to take off more easily. Then, when the plane is flying at a steady speed, the flaps can move up, making the wing thinner and creating less drag, which helps the plane go faster and use less fuel.

Overall, the variable-camber wing is like a superhero for airplanes, because it can change its shape based on what the plane needs to do at any given moment, making the flight smoother, more efficient, and safer.