What are the four aircraft control surfaces on airplanes?
The primary control surfaces of an airplane include the ailerons, rudder, and elevator. . Secondary control surfaces include tabs, flaps, spoilers, and slats. The construction of the control surfaces is similar to that of the stabilizers; however, the movable surfaces usually are somewhat lighter in construction.
What are control surfaces on a plane?
Which Controls do What?
- Throttle. Throttle controls engine speed and hence how fast or slow the propeller spins. ...
- Elevators. The elevators are the hinged section of the tailplane, or horizontal stabiliser, at the very rear of the airplane and are the single most important control surface.
- Ailerons. ...
- Rudder. ...
What is control surface on airplane wing called?
The rudder is a fundamental control surface which is typically controlled by pedals rather than at the stick. It is the primary means of controlling yaw—the rotation of an airplane about its vertical axis. The rudder may also be called upon to counter-act the adverse yaw produced by the roll-control surfaces.
What are primary control surfaces?
Primary control surfaces are usually similar in construction to one another and vary only in size, shape, and methods of attachment. On aluminum light aircraft, their structure is often similar to an all-metal wing. This is appropriate because the primary control surfaces are simply smaller aerodynamic devices.
What is meant by control surface?
Definition of control surface : a movable airfoil designed to change the attitude of an aircraft.
What are the 5 control surfaces of an airplane?
Flight control surfaces are devices that allows a pilot to adjust and control the aircraft's altitude by using aerodynamics. Main control surfaces include ailerons, rudders, and elevators. Secondary control surfaces include spoilers, flaps, slats, and air brakes.
What are the 4 major control surfaces on an airplane?
Aircraft flight control surfaces are aerodynamic devices allowing a pilot to adjust and control the aircraft's flight attitude....Contents3.1 Spoilers.3.2 Flaps.3.3 Slats.3.4 Air brakes.
How does a plane control surface work?
Moveable surfaces on an airplane's wings and tail allow a pilot to maneuver an airplane and control its attitude or orientation. These control surfaces work on the same principle as lift on a wing. They create a difference in air pressure to produce a force on the airplane in a desired direction.
What are the 3 primary flight controls?
Primary Flight Controls The primary controls are the ailerons, elevator, and the rudder, which provide the aerodynamic force to make the aircraft follow a desired flightpath.
What are the 3 axis of control?
Regardless of the type of aircraft, there are three axes upon which it can move: Left and Right, Forwards and Backwards, Up and Down. In aviation though, their technical names are the lateral axis, longitudinal axis and vertical axis. The lateral axis runs from wing tip to wing tip.
What flight control surface causes the plane to roll?
A roll motion is an up and down movement of the wings of the aircraft as shown in the animation. The rolling motion is being caused by the deflection of the ailerons of this aircraft. The aileron is a hinged section at the rear of each wing.
What are the two types of stability?
Two Types Of Stability Stability is the ability of an aircraft to correct for conditions that act on it, like turbulence or flight control inputs. For aircraft, there are two general types of stability: static and dynamic.
Why are balance control surfaces necessary?
Any control surface that is out of balance is unstable and does not remain in a streamlined position during normal flight. For example, an aileron that is trailing-edge heavy moves down when the wing deflects upward, and up when the wing deflects downward.
Are all control surfaces of an aircraft airfoils?
Flight control surfaces are hinged (movable) airfoils designed to change the attitude of the aircraft during flight. These surfaces are divided into three groups – primary, secondary, and auxiliary. There are three axes on which an aircraft can turn: the lateral axis, the longitudinal axis, and the vertical axis.
Which control surface is found on the wings?
The primary flight control surfaces on a fixed-wing aircraft include: ailerons, elevators, and the rudder. The ailerons are attached to the trailing edge of both wings and when moved, rotate the aircraft around the longitudinal axis.
What are the 6 motions of flight?
An airplane rotates in bank, pitch, and yaw while also moving horizontally, vertically, and laterally. The four fundamentals (straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents) are the principle maneuvers that control the airplane through the six motions of flight.
What controls the roll of an airplane?
The Ailerons Control Roll On the outer rear edge of each wing, the two ailerons move in opposite directions, up and down, decreasing lift on one wing while increasing it on the other. This causes the airplane to roll to the left or right.
What are the control surfaces on an airplane that can create additional lift?
The ailerons are located at the rear of the wing, one on each side. They work opposite to each other, so when one is raised, the other is lowered. Their job is to increase the lift on one wing, while reducing the lift on the other. By doing this, they roll the aircraft sideways, which allows the aircraft to turn.
Are all control surfaces of an aircraft airfoils?
Flight control surfaces are hinged (movable) airfoils designed to change the attitude of the aircraft during flight. These surfaces are divided into three groups – primary, secondary, and auxiliary. There are three axes on which an aircraft can turn: the lateral axis, the longitudinal axis, and the vertical axis.
What controls the yaw of an airplane?
The rudder is the primary flight control that controls yaw. The rudder is located along the trailing edge of the vertical tail fin, called vertical stabilizer. As the rudder moves from side to side, the tail moves in a left or right direction.
What is a slot in a wing?
Slots are openings between the different segments of the flaps. They are aerodynamic features that allow air to flow from beneath the wing to its upper surface. The bigger the surface of the trailing-edge flaps deployed, the more slots are needed. Spoilers are used to disrupt the airflow over the wing, increasing drag.
What are the spaces between the leading edge flaps?
The spaces between the flaps are called slots , which allow for more airflow to the top of the extra wing surface.
What are elevators mounted on?
The elevators are mounted on the fixed horizontal stabilizers. Photo: Jake Hardiman – Simple Flying
How do surfaces affect aerodynamics?
These modify the plane’s overall aerodynamics by increasing or reducing the lift or drag that the wings generate. All surfaces act together to balance the aerodynamic forces that impact an aircraft and to move the plane in different axes in relation to its center of gravity.
What is the purpose of spoilers and air brakes?
Spoilers and air brakes are used to reduce the lift and slow down the aircraft. They are used on approach and after landing. Spoilers are small panels hinged on the upper surface of the wing and decrease lift by disrupting the airflow.
How do leading edge slats work?
Leading-edge slats extend out from the surface of the front of the wing using hydraulic pressure. Altogether, they can change the shape and size of the wing quite significantly. This lets pilots adapt the amount of drag and lift needed for takeoff and landing procedures.
What happens when an elevator is moved forward?
If it is moved forward, the elevator deflects downward, which generates an increase in lift for the tail surface. This, in turn, causes the nose of the plane to pivot along the vertical axis and turn downwards. The opposite is true when the control panel is pulled back.
How does a rudder affect the plane?
If rudder is continuously applied in level flight the aircraft will yaw initially in the direction of the applied rudder – the primary effect of rudder. After a few seconds the aircraft will tend to bank in the direction of yaw. This arises initially from the increased speed of the wing opposite to the direction of yaw and the reduced speed of the other wing. The faster wing generates more lift and so rises, while the other wing tends to go down because of generating less lift. Continued application of rudder sustains rolling tendency because the aircraft flying at an angle to the airflow - skidding towards the forward wing. When applying right rudder in an aircraft with dihedral the left hand wing will have increased angle of attack and the right hand wing will have decreased angle of attack which will result in a roll to the right. An aircraft with anhedral will show the opposite effect. This effect of the rudder is commonly used in model aircraft where if sufficient dihedral or polyhedral is included in the wing design, primary roll control such as ailerons may be omitted altogether.
How do ailerons affect drag?
When the stick is moved left to roll the aircraft to the left, the right aileron is lowered which increases lift on the right wing and therefore increases induced drag on the right wing. Using ailerons causes adverse yaw, meaning the nose of the aircraft yaws in a direction opposite to the aileron application. When moving the stick to the left to bank the wings, adverse yaw moves the nose of the aircraft to the right. Adverse yaw is more pronounced for light aircraft with long wings, such as gliders. It is counteracted by the pilot with the rudder. Differential ailerons are ailerons which have been rigged such that the downgoing aileron deflects less than the upward-moving one, reducing adverse yaw.
What is the longitudinal axis of an airplane?
The longitudinal axis passes through the aircraft from nose to tail. Rotation about this axis is called roll. The angular displacement about this axis is called bank. The pilot changes bank angle by increasing the lift on one wing and decreasing it on the other. This differential lift causes rotation around the longitudinal axis. The ailerons are the primary control of bank. The rudder also has a secondary effect on bank.
How do elevators work?
The elevator is a moveable part of the horizontal stabilizer, hinged to the back of the fixed part of the horizontal tail. The elevators move up and down together. When the pilot pulls the stick backward, the elevators go up. Pushing the stick forward causes the elevators to go down. Raised elevators push down on the tail and cause the nose to pitch up. This makes the wings fly at a higher angle of attack, which generates more lift and more drag. Centering the stick returns the elevators to neutral and stops the change of pitch. Some aircraft, such as an MD-80, use a servo tab within the elevator surface to aerodynamically move the main surface into position. The direction of travel of the control tab will thus be in a direction opposite to the main control surface. It is for this reason that an MD-80 tail looks like it has a 'split' elevator system.
Why do fixed wing aircraft have trim?
Most fixed-wing aircraft have a trimming control surface on the elevator, but larger aircraft also have a trim control for the rudder, and another for the ailerons. The rudder trim is to counter any asymmetric thrust from the engines. Aileron trim is to counter the effects of the centre of gravity being displaced from the aircraft centerline. This can be caused by fuel or an item of payload being loaded more on one side of the aircraft compared to the other, such as when one fuel tank has more fuel than the other.
What is the axis of the plane that passes through the wingtip?
The transverse axis, also known as lateral axis, passes through an aircraft from wingtip to wingtip. Rotation about this axis is called pitch. Pitch changes the vertical direction that the aircraft's nose is pointing. The elevators are the primary control surfaces for pitch.
Why does an aircraft descending if not countered?
As the weight of the aircraft is unchanged, this would result in the aircraft descending if not countered. To maintain level flight requires increased positive (up) elevator to increase the angle of attack, increase the total lift generated and keep the vertical component of lift equal with the weight of the aircraft.
What is the combination of aileron and elevator called?
Then, aileron which combined with elevator called elevon commonly used in flying-wing aircraft. The combination between flap and aileron is called flaperon. And the completely movable horizontal stabilizer is called elevon or just stabilizer.
What is combined control surface?
Combination of control surfaces. For unconventional aircraft such as V-tail, flying wing, canard etc., the combined control surfaces are often used. For example, rudder and elevator are combined to get the same function as rudder and elevator but in one part, called ruddervator sometimes used in V-tail.
What is an elevator?
Elevator is a pitch attitude controller. Rudder located in the vertical stabiliser trailing edge, if rudder deflected right, the tail will moves to the left, hence make the aircraft nose tend to moves right and the aircraft turns to right and vice versa. Rudder is yaw controller but has side-effect roll motion.
What is a spoiler in a plane?
Spoiler and speed brakes. Spoiler is used for spoil the flow hence drop the lift only in one side of the wing and help the function of aileron for roll attitude . Spoiler commonly used for heavy and high performance aircraft. If the right and left spoilers activated simultaneously, these will become a speed brake. Tabs.
What are the main control surfaces of an aircraft?
Control surfaces are divided to primary and secondary category. Generally, primary control surfaces are aileron, elevator, rudder and its combinations, then the secondary control surfaces are flap, slat, spoiler, speed brakes and tab.
What are the three main orientations of an aircraft?
Before we discuss about control surface, we will first discuss about aircraft’s orientation: The three main attitude orientations of an aircraft in flight are pitch, roll and yaw. Pitch is an aircraft rotating movement againts lateral axis, which is nose-up or nose-down, then roll is rotating movement about longitudinal axis, ...
What is anti-servo/anti-balance tab?
Anti-servo/anti-balance tab: functioned inversely with balance/servo tab, reduce sensitivity of control surface hence helps pilot to control aircraft in some conditions.
How Does a Pilot Control an Airplane?
Moveable surfaces on an airplane’s wings and tail allow a pilot to maneuver an airplane and control its attitude or orientation. These control surfaces work on the same principle as lift on a wing. They create a difference in air pressure to produce a force on the airplane in a desired direction.
What Is an Airplane’s “Rear Wing” For?
Like the vertical stabilizer, the horizontal stabilizer helps keep the airplane aligned with its direction of motion. If the airplane tilts up or down, air pressure increases on one side of the stabilizer and decreases on the other, pushing it back to its original position. The stabilizer also holds the tail down, countering the tendency of the nose to tilt downward—a result of the airplane’s center of gravity being forward of the wing’s center of lift.
What keeps an airplane from rolling over?
To help make turning easier, an airplane is usually less stable along its roll axis than along its pitch and yaw axes. Several factors help the pilot keep the wings level: the inclined mounting of the wings, the position of the wings abov … more
What is the vertical stabilizer on an airplane?
A vertical stabilizer, or tail fin, keeps the airplane lined up with its direction of motion. Air presses against both its surfaces with equal force when the airplane is moving straight ahead. But if the airplane pivots to the right or left, air pressure increases on one side of the stabilizer and decreases on the other.
What is the purpose of the tail?
The main purpose of the tail is to provide stability. If tilted by a gust of wind, a stable airplane tends to recover, just as a ball lying at the bottom of a bowl will roll back to the center after being disturbed.
What is a F-22 Raptor?
Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22: The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine highly maneuverable fighter aircraft. Fighter aircraft are designed to be unstable to make them more agile. But this also makes them harder to control.
Which is easier to fly, a fighter or a plane?
Stable airplanes, such as airliners, are easier to fly but harder to maneuver. Less-stable ones, such as fighters, are harder to fly but respond quicker to their controls, turn faster, and maneuver better. Pop Quiz.
What Are Control Surfaces?
Control surfaces are the parts of an airplane the pilot uses to operate it— to taxi, aviate, bank, accelerate, decelerate, and land. By forcing differences in air pressure, these parts of the aircraft use the air surrounding it ( air pressure) to take whatever action the pilot wishes. Manipulation of these parts of the aircraft is what makes flight possible. Aeronautical engineers spend a great amount of time pondering these concepts and the safest, most efficient ways to maximize them. The beneficiaries are pilots and their passengers, who control and enjoy the benefits of harnessed air power.
What is the horizontal stabilizer?
A horizontal stabilizer also plays a role in “balancing” the airplane in steady, stable flight. As is the case with vertical stabilizers, the equal air pressure on both sides of a horizontal stabilizer assist in this goal. However, if the pilot wishes to ascend or descent, the horizontal stabilizer comes into play. When the pilot decreases the air pressure on one side, the plane will ascend. If it is increased on the other, descent will take place. Learning how to control these motions make for safe takeoffs and landings. Newton’s Third Law of Motion (“for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”) is what is at work here.
Why is the tail of an airplane important?
However, without the tail, an aircraft could not remain stable for long. The tail of an airplane allows it to recover quickly after it has been “pushed against” by any kind of wind.
How does the rudder work in an airplane?
The rudders of an airplane are instrumental in its directional control. While the rudder is attached to the vertical stabilizer, its role is important enough to be discussed on its own. Rudders directly affect the airflow around the airplane. It can be moved to the right or left, depending on which direction the pilot wishes to take. By using a sideways angle of attack, the airplane is now able to yaw either to the right or to the left. Depending on how much airflow is surrounding the rudder, this control surface can bring tremendous assistance to the pilot. Rudders are particularly useful to aircraft, which are operating at a high rate of speed—think about fighter jets or racing airplanes.
Why are rudders important?
Rudders are also important when it comes to efficient takeoffs, as pilot s employ them in conjunction with the airplane’s tailwheel and nosewheel. Most engineers install pedals in the cockpit to control the rudders.
What is the role of the wings in an airplane?
Just as with the tail of the airplane, the wings play a vital role in getting and staying aloft, then landing at the proper time. An airplane’s ailerons control the “rolling” motion of an aircraft around its center of gravity. These are small hinged areas on the wing, and when the pilot actives them in opposition to one another, banking occurs. The airplane will turn to the right or left accordingly.
Why are flight control surfaces important?
Flight control surfaces are an important part of all airplanes. Airplanes are designed to generate lift in response to air flowing under and over certain areas. While some of these areas are fixed, others are adjustable. These adjustable areas are flight control surfaces. They allow pilots to change the speed or trajectory of an airplane through adjustments performed in the cockpit.
How does the rudder work in an airplane?
The rudder is controlled by a pair of pedals inside of the cockpit. When a pilot presses the left pedal, the airplane’s rudder will move to the left. When a pilot presses the right pedal , conversely, the airplane’s rudder will move to the right.
What are the different types of flight control surfaces?
There are several types of flight control surfaces. Ailerons, for instance, are a common type of flight control surface. Ailerons consist of horizontal and rectangular-shaped tabs that are fitted to the back of an airplane’s wings. Most airplanes have a single aileron on the back of each wing. Pilots can raise or lower the ailerons. Normally, when pilots move the control stick to the left, the aile ron on the left wing goes up while the aileron on the right wing does down. This alternating positioning will then change the direction of the airplane, essentially turning the airplane to the left.
What is a flight control surface?
What are flight control surfaces exactly? Also known as a flight control system, a flight control surface is an aerodynamic device that’s used to change an airplane’s speed, trajectory or altitude. Most airplanes have a combination of primary and secondary flight control surfaces. Primary flight control surfaces are the most important, and airplanes rely on them during takeoffs and landings. Secondary flight control surfaces are supplemental devices that assist in the aforementioned flight processes.
What are the primary control surfaces of an aircraft?
The ailerons, elevators, and rudder are considered conventional primary control surfaces. However, some aircraft are designed with a control surface that may serve a dual purpose. For example, elevons perform the combined functions of the ailerons and the elevator. [Figure 9]
What is the ailerons attached to?
The ailerons are attached to the trailing edge of both wings and when moved, rotate the aircraft around the longitudinal axis. The elevator is attached to the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer. When it is moved, it alters aircraft pitch, which is the attitude about the horizontal or lateral axis. The rudder is hinged to the trailing edge ...
How does the rudder work?
Most aircraft have a single rudder hinged to the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer. It is controlled by a pair of foot-operated rudder pedals in the cockpit. When the right pedal is pushed forward, it deflects the rudder to the right which moves the nose of the aircraft to the right . The left pedal is rigged to simultaneously move aft. When the left pedal is pushed forward, the nose of the aircraft moves to the left.
How do ailerons work?
Ailerons are controlled by a side-to-side motion of the control stick in the cockpit or a rotation of the control yoke. When the aileron on one wing deflects down, the aileron on the opposite wing deflects upward. This amplifies the movement of the aircraft around the longitudinal axis.
What are the two main control surfaces on a fixed wing aircraft?
The primary flight control surfaces on a fixed-wing aircraft include: ailerons, elevators, and the rudder. The ailerons are attached to the trailing edge of both wings and when moved, ...
How does an elevator work?
The elevator is the primary flight control surface that moves the aircraft around the horizontal or lateral axis. This causes the nose of the aircraft to pitch up or down. The elevator is hinged to the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer and typically spans most or all of its width. It is controlled in the cockpit by pushing or pulling the control yoke forward or aft.#N#Light aircraft use a system of control cables and pulleys or push pull tubes to transfer cockpit inputs to the movement of the elevator. High performance and large aircraft typically employ more complex systems. Hydraulic power is commonly used to move the elevator on these aircraft. On aircraft equipped with fly-by-wire controls, a combination of electrical and hydraulic power is used.
What is a stabilizer in an airplane?
[Figure 10] Basically, a stabilator is a horizontal stabilizer that can also be rotated about the horizontal axis to affect the pitch of the aircraft.
What is the purpose of a rudder on a boat?
Unlike the boat however, it is not the primary method of steering. Its main purpose is to counteract the drag caused by the lowered aileron during a turn. This adverse yaw, as it is known, causes the nose of the airplane to point away, or outwards, from the direction of the turn. The rudder helps to correct this by pushing the nose in the correct direction, maintaining what is known as coordinated flight (Fig. 6).
How many axes does an airplane have?
Think of an airplane rotating around an axis like a wheel rotates around an axle. Regardless of the type of aircraft, there are three axes upon which it can move: Left and Right, Forwards and Backwards, Up and Down. In aviation though, their technical names are the lateral axis, longitudinal axis and vertical axis.
Where is the rudder located on an airplane?
The rudder is located on the tail of the aircraft. It works identically to a rudder on a boat, steering the nose of the aircraft left and right. Unlike the boat however, it is not the primary method of steering. Its main purpose is to counteract the drag caused by the lowered aileron during a turn. This adverse yaw, as it is known, causes the nose of the airplane to point away, or outwards, from the direction of the turn. The rudder helps to correct this by pushing the nose in the correct direction, maintaining what is known as coordinated flight (Fig. 6).
What are the mechanics of flight?
The mechanics of flight are highly complex, encompassing principles such as the four forces and axes, as well as technical terms such as control surfaces, adverse yaw and coordinated flight. While this lesson covers all of these topics, its purpose is to provide just a very basic insight into the true mechanics of flight and body-axis systems. Wind-axis systems, which refer to aircraft forces in relation to the direction of the aircraft’s velocity, are not discussed here to avoid confusion. Also, some of the explanations given are highly simplified in order to allow educators to help students visualize the principle being discussed. For educators with an aviation background and capable students, modification of these activities and background information is encouraged.
What are the forces that affect an airplane?
Every aircraft, whether an airplane, helicopter or rocket, is affected by four opposing forces: Thrust, Lift, Drag and Weight (Fig. 1). Control surfaces, such as the rudder or ailerons, adjust the direction of these forces, allowing the pilot
What is the purpose of the nose on an airplane?
usually located on the tail of the aircraft and serves two purposes. The first is to provide stability by producing a downward force on the tail. Airplanes are traditionally nose-heavy and this downward force is required to compensate for that. The second is to direct the nose of the aircraft either upwards or down wards, known as pitch, in order to make the airplane climb and descend. (Fig. 4).
How does an elevator work?
It is usually located on the tail of the aircraft and serves two purposes. The first is to provide stability by producing a downward force on the tail. Airplanes are traditionally nose-heavy and this downward force is required to compensate for that. The second is to direct the nose of the aircraft either upwards or downwards, known as pitch, in order to make the airplane climb and descend. (Fig. 4).
Why do airplanes have a rudder?
the boat however, it is not the primary method of steering. Its main purpose is to counteract the drag caused by the lowered aileron during a turn. This adverse yaw, as it is known, causes the nose of the airplane to point away, or outwards, from the direction of the turn. The rudder helps to correct this by pushing the nose in the correct direction, maintaining what is known as coordinated flight (Fig. 6).
How many axes does an aircraft have?
like a wheel rotates around an axle. Regardless of the type of aircraft, there are three axes upon which
What are the three forces that control the pilot?
Thrust, Lift, Drag and Weight (Fig. 1). Control surfaces, such as the rudder or ailerons, adjust the direction of these forces, allowing the pilot to use them in the most advantageous way possible. A force can be thought of as a push or pull in a
What is drag in aviation?
Drag is simply resistance of the aircraft against the air. There are many types of drag, but each is a force
What is thrust in an aircraft?
Thrust is produced by an aircraft’s propulsion system or engine. The direction of the thrust dictates the direction in
How is lift generated?
Lift is generated by the motion of air passing over the aircraft’s wings. The direction of lift is always
How many forces are there in flight?
The mechanics of flight are highly complex, encompassing principles such as the four forces and axes, as well as
Primary and Secondary Surfaces
- The control surfaces are all the dynamic parts on an aircraft that can be manipulated to steer the plane during flight. They are divided into primary and secondary control surfaces. The primary ones on a fixed-wing aircraft include the ailerons, elevators, and rudder. These are responsible for directing the aircraft. An aircraft in flight can rotat...
The Elevators
- The elevators raise and lower the aircraft, moving the plane in its transverse axis, producing pitch. Most aircraft have two elevators. They are placed on the trailing edge on each half of the fixed horizontal stabilizer. Manual or autopilot input moves the elevators up or down as needed by a forward or aft movement of the control column or control stick. If it is moved forward, the elevat…
The Rudder
- The rudder moves the aircraft in its horizontal axis, producing yaw. It sits on the vertical stabilizer or tail fin. It is not used to directly steer the aircraft, as its name might have one believe. Rather it is used to counteract adverse yaw produced by turning the aircraft or to counteract an engine failure on quad jets. It is also used in order to 'slip' and direct the trajectory of the plane before la…
The Ailerons
- The ailerons, which is French for 'little wings,' are used to tilt the plane from one side to the other, moving it along its longitudinal axis, producing roll. They are attached to the outward edges of the aircraft wings and move in opposite directions from one another to adjust the position of the plane. When the flight deck control device is moved or turned, one aileron deflects up and the ot…
Flaps
- The flaps resemble the ailerons, but they sit closer to the fuselage. They change the shape of the aircraft's wing and are utilized to both generate more lift and increase drag, depending on their angle. Their setting is usually between five and fifteen degrees, depending on the aircraft. Trailing edge flaps extendand move downwards on the back of the wing. Leading-edge flaps move out a…
Slats and Slots
- Leading-edge slats extend out from the surface of the front of the wing using hydraulic pressure. Altogether, they can change the shape and size of the wing quite significantly. This lets pilots adapt the amount of drag and lift needed for takeoff and landing procedures. Slots are openings between the different segments of the flaps. They are aerodynamic features that allow air to flo…
Spoilers and Air Brakes
- Spoilers and air brakes are used to reduce the lift and slow down the aircraft. They are used on approach and after landing. Spoilers are small panels hinged on the upper surface of the wing and decrease lift by disrupting the airflow. While spoilers may act as brakes, proper air brakes extend out from the surface into the airstream in order to slow the aircraft down. Most often, they are d…
Hydraulic Circuit
- Jet aircraft rely on hydraulics to manipulate the control surfaces. A mechanical circuit links the cockpit control with the hydraulic circuit controlling the dynamic surfaces of the plane. This has hydraulic pumps, reservoirs, filters, pipes, valves, and actuators. This system means that the way an aircraft responds is determined by economics rather than by a pilot's physical strength.
Overview
Aircraft flight control surfaces are aerodynamic devices allowing a pilot to adjust and control the aircraft's flight attitude.
Development of an effective set of flight control surfaces was a critical advance in the development of aircraft. Early efforts at fixed-wing aircraft design succeeded in generating sufficient lift to get the aircraft off the ground, but once aloft, the aircraft proved uncontrollable, …
Control trimming surfaces
Trimming controls allow a pilot to balance the lift and drag being produced by the wings and control surfaces over a wide range of load and airspeed. This reduces the effort required to adjust or maintain a desired flight attitude.
Elevator trim balances the control force necessary to maintain the correct aerodynamic force on the tail to balance the aircraft. Whilst carrying out certai…
Development
The Wright brothers are credited with developing the first practical control surfaces. It is a main part of their patent on flying. Unlike modern control surfaces, they used wing warping. In an attempt to circumvent the Wright patent, Glenn Curtiss made hinged control surfaces, the same type of concept first patented some four decades earlier in the United Kingdom. Hinged control sur…
Main control surfaces
The main control surfaces of a fixed-wing aircraft are attached to the airframe on hinges or tracks so they may move and thus deflect the air stream passing over them. This redirection of the air stream generates an unbalanced force to rotate the plane about the associated axis.
Ailerons are mounted on the trailing edge of each wing near the wingtips and …
Secondary control surfaces
On low drag aircraft such as sailplanes, spoilers are used to disrupt airflow over the wing and greatly reduce lift. This allows a glider pilot to lose altitude without gaining excessive airspeed. Spoilers are sometimes called "lift dumpers". Spoilers that can be used asymmetrically are called spoilerons and can affect an aircraft's roll.
See also
• Aircraft engine controls
• Aircraft flight control systems
• Aircraft flight mechanics
• Flight with disabled controls
External links
• A clear explanation of model aircraft flight controls by BMFA
• See How It Flies By John S. Denker. A new spin on the perceptions, procedures, and principles of flight.