I love flap discussions - -some really good info always pops up.
I have a question tho--
Flaps BIG advantage is in keeping the fuselage and its associated bits , at a LOWER angle, relative to angle of decent.
This means that the horizontal tailplane is ALSO decending at a lower AOA.
So the big question:
Doesn't the use of flaps really increase the relative efficiency of the horizontal tailplanes during decent?
Why is this never mentioned?
I recall an obscure NASA study , which showed the increased stability of a high AOA "mush",
thru actually keeping the entire horizontal tailplane AOA, aligned with the true path of flight.
Therefor--- in a flapped decent- the tailplane is at a lower AOA- than it would be if the plane were NON flapped and simply pitched to a high flare.
Too obscure???
If no one answers -I will hang up.