When will the flap position warning system sound an alarm in the cockpit?

The flap position warning system is designed to enhance safety by alerting the flight crew when the aircraft configuration is not appropriate for the current phase of flight, especially during takeoff. The system will sound an alarm if the power levers are advanced and the flaps are not set to the correct position for takeoff.

This is critical because if the pilot applies power for takeoff without the appropriate flap setting, it could lead to an inadequate lift situation during the critical phase of departure, increasing the risk of an accident. Thus, the alarm serves as a vital warning to ensure that the aircraft is configured properly before attempting to take off.

In other scenarios mentioned, like having the gear up with the power lever idle or cruising with flaps extended, the system is either operating under acceptable conditions or not under critical operational parameters where a misconfiguration could occur. Similarly, if the landing gear is down and flaps are in the takeoff position, this does not typically present an immediate danger that the warning system must address.