Flaps & Spoilers Explained
Flaps are movable panels on the trailing edge (back) of the wing used to increase lift at lower speeds. They are used during takeoff and landing.
Ailerons are panels near the tip of the wing that move up and down, causing lift to increase (when they go down) or decrease (when they go up), allowing the pilot to roll the airplane to a desired bank angle or return from a bank to wings level.
Spoilers are panels on the top of the wing that reduce lift. When used in flight, spoilers can be use in addition to or in place of ailerons to control the roll of the airplane by raising the spoilers on one wing only. After landing, spoilers are raised on both wings to reduce lift, thereby improving braking and traction on the runway.