The main flight controls on an aircraft are flaps, ailerons, elevators, and rudder. Figure 2 shows these components along with others on a modern-day passenger airplane. The flaps are used to produce lift on takeoff and landing. It is important to control lift and drag on takeoff and landing in order to avoid a failed take off and/or a hard landing. The flaps also control the speed of the aircraft during landing allowing the pilot to place just the correct amount of lift and drag which in turn permits the aircraft to reduce speed on final approach. (NASA, 2008)
A second component, the ailerons are used to bank the aircraft in flight, turning the aircraft to the correct heading. Turning the yoke to the left makes the left aileron go to the up position and the right aileron to the down position. By changing the camber of the wing increasing lift and high pressure air under the right wing and reducing the amount under the left wing the aircraft turns left. (NASA, 2008)
Elevators are used to control the pitch of the aircraft allowing a pilot to select the correct altitude for their particular aircraft. Pulling back on the yoke triggers the elevator to move to the up position. When in this position, high-pressure air pushes down on the rear of the aircraft rotating around the center of lift as a result, the aircraft is able to climb or gain altitude. (NASA, 2008)
Also at the rear of the plane, the rudder is located on the vertical stab and is controlled by two pedals located in the floor of the aircraft. During flight, rudders control side-to-side movement of the aircraft. If the pilot applies pressure to the left rudder peddle by pushing it forward, the rudder will move to the left and the high-pressure air will move the aircraft to the left. The rudders function just like the ailerons with the only difference being that the ailerons are mounted horizontal and the rudder is mounted vertical. (NASA, 2008)
Finally, trim tabs, although smaller in size than the other components, have the important task of making minor adjustments in flight to aid in keeping the aircraft flying straight and level. The trim tabs are located on the aft section of the aileron, elevator and rudder flight control surfaces. Just like flight controls, trim tabs change the angle of attack to make the appropriate adjustments to fly straight and level. Buttons on the control wheel or pedestal activate the trim tabs electrically. To aid in a better understanding of the flight control surfaces, refer to figure 2 for location and further explanation. (NASA, 2008)
A second component, the ailerons are used to bank the aircraft in flight, turning the aircraft to the correct heading. Turning the yoke to the left makes the left aileron go to the up position and the right aileron to the down position. By changing the camber of the wing increasing lift and high pressure air under the right wing and reducing the amount under the left wing the aircraft turns left. (NASA, 2008)
Elevators are used to control the pitch of the aircraft allowing a pilot to select the correct altitude for their particular aircraft. Pulling back on the yoke triggers the elevator to move to the up position. When in this position, high-pressure air pushes down on the rear of the aircraft rotating around the center of lift as a result, the aircraft is able to climb or gain altitude. (NASA, 2008)
Also at the rear of the plane, the rudder is located on the vertical stab and is controlled by two pedals located in the floor of the aircraft. During flight, rudders control side-to-side movement of the aircraft. If the pilot applies pressure to the left rudder peddle by pushing it forward, the rudder will move to the left and the high-pressure air will move the aircraft to the left. The rudders function just like the ailerons with the only difference being that the ailerons are mounted horizontal and the rudder is mounted vertical. (NASA, 2008)
Finally, trim tabs, although smaller in size than the other components, have the important task of making minor adjustments in flight to aid in keeping the aircraft flying straight and level. The trim tabs are located on the aft section of the aileron, elevator and rudder flight control surfaces. Just like flight controls, trim tabs change the angle of attack to make the appropriate adjustments to fly straight and level. Buttons on the control wheel or pedestal activate the trim tabs electrically. To aid in a better understanding of the flight control surfaces, refer to figure 2 for location and further explanation. (NASA, 2008)
