Disclosed herein is a system for actuating a flap coupled to a wing of an aircraft in a streamwise direction. The system comprises a geared rotary actuator comprising a drive gear that is rotatable about a first rotational axis. The system also comprises a crank shaft comprising a driven gear in gear meshing engagement with the drive gear of the geared rotary actuator to rotate the crank shaft about a second rotational axis. The second rotational axis is angled relative to the first rotational axis. The system further comprises a crank arm co-rotatably coupled to the crank shaft and configured to be coupled to the flap. Rotation of the crank shaft about the second rotational axis rotates the crank arm in a direction perpendicular to the second rotational axis.