Can the flaps/slats be deployed for an extended period during icing conditions?

In icing conditions, the deployment of flaps and slats for an extended period is not safe and should be avoided. This is primarily due to the fact that these surfaces can accumulate ice, which negatively impacts their aerodynamic performance and can lead to loss of lift and increased drag. The design of the Dassault Falcon 7X includes specific operational parameters for flap and slat use, emphasizing that they should not be deployed for prolonged durations when there's a risk of icing. Maintaining operational safety is crucial, and icing can cause irregular airflow over the wing surfaces, potentially leading to dangerous situations, including stalls or difficult handling characteristics.

In circumstances where the flaps and slats are extended during icing conditions, this could exacerbate any existing ice accumulation on critical surfaces and compromise the aircraft’s overall performance. Therefore, pilots are instructed to limit their use to ensure safe flight operations.