Edges define the shape and size of the wing. The root is the edge of the wing that attaches to the fuselage of the airplane. Opposite the root is the wing tip. The leading edge connects the root to the wing tip along the front of the wing. The trailing edge does the same for the rear of the wing. Winglets are upturned wing tips that are found on some airplanes. Winglets are designed to help reduce drag, which is the force which slows the forward motion of an airplane.
The airfoil is the curved section of the wing which enables the airplane to fly. The airfoil's curvature causes air to travel faster over the top of the wing than the slower moving air under the wing. Airfoils have a teardrop shape which tapers toward the back of the wing. The shape of the airfoil affects the amount of lift and how the plane will fly.
Ailerons are small, hinged sections along the trailing edge of the wing. The ailerons are used to create a rolling motion which banks or turns the aircraft. The aileron can be moved up or down to change the shape of the trailing edge. This change affects the amount of lift on the wing. Ailerons control the airplane's direction, not the tail rudder
Flaps and slats are used to change the shape of the wing by increasing the wing area for additional lift needed during takeoffs and landings. The slats are on the leading of the wing while the flaps are positioned on the trailing edge. The flaps are extended during landing to create drag which helps slow the airplane.
Spoilers are small rectangular plates hinged flush to the top of the wing in front of the flaps. When both spoilers are deployed, they act as speed brakes and slow or help descend the aircraft by reducing wing lift. Deploying one spoiler at a time can roll or change the aircraft's direction, but less dramatically than ailerons. Spoilers help keep the aircraft on the ground once it lands and greatly assist the landing gear brakes.
