Nothing wrong with it, it's how that type works. We have K, M and N models at our place and all three have different flap switches. The K is like yours, you have to hold it in position, the M has to be held down to lower but has an 'up' position which will retract them automatically and the N is the gated switch. I prefer the spring loaded type as you can select exactly how much flap you want, if you count when you're holding it then you don't even have to look at the flap gauge, at the time when you're lowering flap you need eyeballs out of the cockpit looking for the nut job who is going to cut you up. I know that counting to five gives me 20 degrees of flap for instance using the 'one thousand and one' counting method.
There's still a gap between selecting up and having the flaps retract even on the gated type, they don't retract immediately, also you don't have to retract them fully, if you're in a real hurry to get off the ground retracting them to 10-15 degrees will give you extra lift without too much extra drag.
You could also (obviously depending on length of the runway that you're using) not use 40 degrees of flap. I usually land with 20 degrees selected, anything more than that is just drag flap.
Do bear in mind I'm a novice and no doubt someone will be along to say that I'm going to die if I use those methods.....and if you're still a student don't do any of what I've said unless you run it by your instructor. In fact, just do what he says.
As for what it's called I don't know. Spring loaded flap switch?
Last edited by thing; 29th August 2011 at 08:36.