What is the primary purpose of stall strips on an aircraft wing?

The primary purpose of stall strips is to ensure that the inboard portion of the wing stalls before the outboard section. This is critical for maintaining control during the stall condition. By causing the inner parts of the wing to experience a stall first, stall strips help to preserve aileron effectiveness. When the inboard portion loses lift, the wing remains controllable, allowing the pilot to manage the aircraft's attitude and prevent a complete loss of control that could result from an uncontrollable stall. This design feature contributes to safer handling characteristics, particularly in low-speed flight situations where stalls are more likely to occur. Thus, the design of stall strips is an important safety consideration in wing design, focusing on maintaining control of the aircraft during critical flight conditions.