dive brake


noun Aeronautics.

a flap deployed from the wings or fuselage of an aircraft, as a dive bomber or sailplane, that increases drag to permit a relatively steep angle of descent without a dangerous buildup in speed.

Origin of dive brake

First recorded in 1935–40

British Dictionary definitions for dive brake

dive brake

noun

a flap or spoiler extended from the wings of a ground-attack aircraft for controlling a dive
another name for air brake