How do spoilers primarily function on an aircraft?

Spoilers are designed to disrupt the airflow over the wings, which increases drag and reduces lift. This mechanism is helpful primarily during landing as it allows the aircraft to decrease its speed more effectively while descending. When activated, spoilers create turbulence in the airflow, thus diminishing the lift that the wings produce. This is critical for pilots to control the descent rate and ensure a safer landing.

Additionally, spoilers can also be used in flight to help manage the aircraft's speed and attitude during maneuvering phases. By increasing drag, they help slow down the aircraft without necessitating a significant reduction in engine thrust. Therefore, the main function of spoilers aligns with increasing drag while reducing lift, making the identification of their role in flight dynamics crucial for understanding aircraft operations.