Aircraft Control Surfaces

Pilots control an aircraft by moving control surfaces.

The control surfaces include the following;

AILERONS

The ailerons are on either side of the wings, these are controlled by the pilot rotating the yoke left and right.

Movement of the ailerons changes the shape of the wing, creating more curvature on one side (creating more lift) and drag on the opposite wing.

The ailerons are used in conjunction with the rudder to create a co-ordinated turn. Similar to a car on a race track with angled bends on the track, banking into the turn is much more comfortable than simply turning when at speed.

The aircraft 'rolls' when the ailerons are moved.

RUDDER

The rudder is a control surface on the tail.

The pilot controls the rudder by pressing on rudder pedals.

Pressing the left pedal causes the rudder to rotate to the left causing the tail to move right, in turn moving the nose of the airplane ot the left. Pressing the right rudder pedal does the opposite.

Rudder movement causes the aircraft nose to move left or right.

The aircraft 'yaws' when the rudder is moved.

ELEVATOR

The elevator is on the tail of the aircraft, moving the elevator causes the nose of the aircraft to go up or down, allowing the aircraft to climb or descent.

The pilot moves the elevator by pulling or pushing on the yoke.

Pulling on the yoke moves the elevator up causing the tail to go down, and the nose of the airplane to pitch up.

Pushing forward on the yoke pitches the aircraft down.

The aircraft 'pitches' when the elevator is moved.