Flight experiments on NASA Langley Research Center's B737-100 airplane
were conducted to document flow characteristics for further understan
ding of high-lift now physics. The measurements included surface press
ure distributions measured using flush pressure taps and pressure belt
s on the slats, main element, and flap elements, and boundary-layer st
ate changes measured using hot-film anemometry and infrared thermograp
hy. In this paper, results obtained in the final phase of flight exper
iments are presented and analyzed. The analysis primarily focuses on c
hanges in the boundary-layer state measured on the slat as a result of
changes in nap setting and/or flight condition. The measurements show
that extended runs of laminar now exist on the slat at relevant angle
s of attack. Flow mechanisms that affect the extent of laminar flow in
clude attachment-line contamination, crossflow instability, and relami
narization.