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Manual flap handles, often called "Johnson Bars," are mechanical levers that directly control wing flaps using cables and pulleys. Once common in general aviation, these manual systems have largely been replaced by electric switches and handles in modern aircraft. Today, only a few planes in the United States still use Johnson Bars, mostly limited to vintage models.
Some pilots value the reliability and simplicity of manual flap handles, comparing their appeal to that of a manual transmission in cars. While most new aircraft use electric flap controls, there is one general aviation plane still produced with a Johnson Bar: the Piper PA-28.
In early general aviation history, manual flap handles were standard on aircraft such as the Cessna 140 and Piper PA-22. These levers allowed pilots to move flaps easily but required them to reach down or reposition themselves during flight, which could be awkward or distracting. As manufacturers sought greater convenience and cost savings, companies like Cessna phased out Johnson Bars in favor of electric flaps starting in the 1960s. For example, the Cessna 172 has used electric flaps since 1965.
