Steve Hix wrote:


The most lift is always gained with the most flaps.


Really?

Even if true, you sometimes end up picking up drag faster than increased
lift at extreme flap settings, depending on the aircraft.


On your typical Cessna 152, 172, 182 206, etc the most lift for the
least drag is approx 20 degrees. Flaps at 40 degrees gives you the most
lift but also more drag than at 20 degrees. Just depends on what you're
trying to accomplish. The first 20 years of Bonanza production there
wasn't a flap indicator in the aircraft, don't have one in mine. The
factory put a stripe that you could line up with the trailing edge of
the wing to get 20 degrees. Those disappear with the first paint job.