Can somebody explain Dial-a-flap to me?

[Guest tcable]

I get the entire customizable flap detent thing, but that's all. Way do I want to use it? What does it do for me that a fixed detent flap does not? I understand that the MD11 wing is a fast wing and really does not do slow (155kt approach speeds?)ThanksTimWho's been flying real bugsmashers since 1990!

[Allan Burek]

dial-a-flap basically gives you a fine tuning of the flaps, for best takeoff performance. It allows you to use a flap setting between 10-25 degress that best suits the required performance of the wing. For example, if your weight/CG would best be suited with a 18 degree flap setting for takeoff, you can do that with dial a flap.