AIRPLANE FLIGHT CONTROLS

Lesson Outline
LESSON OBJECTIVE

To determine that the student exhibits

proficient knowledge of the elements
related to airplane flight controls by LESSON SOURCE(S)
describing the elements on the
following slide.
Pilot’s Handbook of
Aeronautical Knowledge
FAA-H-8083-25
Lesson Outline

LESSON ELEMENTS TIMEFRAME EQUIPMENT/TOOLS

Primary Flight Controls 45 Minutes

Secondary Flight Controls approximately Lesson Presentation
Trim Controls Whiteboard and Markers
Discuss Objectives FAA Sources and References
Present and Review Material
Student Questions
Conclusion and Quiz
Lesson Outline

INSTRUCTOR ACTIONS STUDENT ACTIONS COMPLETION STANDARDS

Present Objectives and Standards Participate in Lesson Student is able to understand and
Teach Lesson from Presentation Take Notes differentiate between the different
Ask and Answer Student Questions Ask and Respond to Questions lesson elements. Student is further able
Assign Homework Pass the Post Lesson Quiz to apply this acquired knowledge in
Check Student’s Post Lesson Quiz flight training/flight operation scenarios
effectively and appropriately.
Primary Flight Controls
Aircraft flight control systems consist of primary and secondary systems. The ailerons, elevator (or stabilator),
and rudder constitute the primary control system and are required to control an aircraft safely during flight.

Ailerons
Ailerons control roll about the
longitudinal axis.

Elevator
The elevator controls the pitch of the
airplane about the lateral axis.

Rudder
The rudder controls the yaw of the
airplane about the vertical axis.
Primary Flight Controls
Ailerons

Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis. The ailerons are attached to the outboard trailing edge of each
wing and move in the opposite direction from each other. Ailerons are connected by cables, bellcranks, pulleys,
and/or push-pull tubes to a control wheel or control stick.

Control Wheel Control Wheel

To the Right To the Left
Primary Flight Controls
Ailerons

Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis. The ailerons are attached to the outboard trailing edge of each
wing and move in the opposite direction from each other. Ailerons are connected by cables, bellcranks, pulleys,
and/or push-pull tubes to a control wheel or control stick.

Differential Ailerons

With differential ailerons, one aileron is raised a greater

distance than the other aileron and is lowered for a given Further Travel
movement of the control wheel or control stick. This More Drag
produces an increase in drag on the descending wing. The
greater drag results from deflecting the up aileron on the
descending wing to a greater angle than the down aileron
on the rising wing. This helps to reduce adverse yaw.
Primary Flight Controls
Ailerons

Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis. The ailerons are attached to the outboard trailing edge of each
wing and move in the opposite direction from each other. Ailerons are connected by cables, bellcranks, pulleys,
and/or push-pull tubes to a control wheel or control stick.

Frise-Type Ailerons

When pressure is applied to the control wheel, or control

stick, the aileron that is being raised pivots on an offset
hinge. This projects the leading edge of the aileron into the
airflow and creates drag. It helps equalize the drag created
by the lowered aileron on the opposite wing and reduces
adverse yaw.
Primary Flight Controls
Ailerons

Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis. The ailerons are attached to the outboard trailing edge of each
wing and move in the opposite direction from each other. Ailerons are connected by cables, bellcranks, pulleys,
and/or push-pull tubes to a control wheel or control stick.

Coupled Ailerons and Rudder

Coupled ailerons and rudder are linked controls. This is

accomplished with rudder-aileron interconnect springs,
which help correct for aileron drag by automatically
deflecting the rudder at the same time the ailerons are
deflected. For example, a left aileron input will also be
accompanied by left deflection of the elevator to help Left Rudder
reduce adverse yaw. Left Aileron
Primary Flight Controls
Ailerons

Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis. The ailerons are attached to the outboard trailing edge of each
wing and move in the opposite direction from each other. Ailerons are connected by cables, bellcranks, pulleys,
and/or push-pull tubes to a control wheel or control stick.

Flaperons

Flaperons combine both aspects of flaps and ailerons. In

addition to controlling the bank angle of an aircraft like
conventional ailerons, flaperons can be lowered together Single
to function much the same as a dedicated set of flaps. Control
The pilot retains separate controls for ailerons and flaps. Surface
Primary Flight Controls
The Elevator

The elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis. Like the ailerons on small aircraft, the elevator is connected
to the control column in the flight deck by a series of mechanical linkages.

Control Wheel Control Wheel

Aft Forward
Primary Flight Controls
The Elevator

The elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis. Like the ailerons on small aircraft, the elevator is connected
to the control column in the flight deck by a series of mechanical linkages.

T-Tail Elevator

In a T-tail configuration, the elevator is above most of the

effects of downwash from the propeller, as well as airflow
around the fuselage and/or wings during normal flight Propeller Downwash
conditions. Operation of the elevators in this undisturbed
air allows control movements that are consistent
throughout most flight regimes.
Primary Flight Controls
The Elevator

The elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis. Like the ailerons on small aircraft, the elevator is connected
to the control column in the flight deck by a series of mechanical linkages.

T-Tail Elevator

When flying at a very high AOA with a low airspeed and an

aft CG, the T-tail aircraft may be more susceptible to a
deep stall. In this condition, the wake of the wing impinges
on the tail surface and renders it almost ineffective.
Primary Flight Controls
The Elevator

The elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis. Like the ailerons on small aircraft, the elevator is connected
to the control column in the flight deck by a series of mechanical linkages.

Stabilator

A stabilator is essentially a one-piece horizontal stabilizer

that pivots from a central hinge point. When the control
column is pulled back, it raises the stabilator’s trailing
edge, pulling the nose of the aircraft. Because stabilators
pivot around a central hinge point, they are extremely
sensitive to control inputs and aerodynamic loads.
Antiservo tabs are incorporated on the trailing edge to
decrease sensitivity.
Primary Flight Controls
The Elevator

The elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis. Like the ailerons on small aircraft, the elevator is connected
to the control column in the flight deck by a series of mechanical linkages.

Canard
Pusher Prop
The canard design utilizes the concept of two lifting
surfaces. The canard functions as a horizontal stabilizer
located in front of the main wings. In effect, the canard is
an airfoil similar to the horizontal surface on a
conventional aft-tail design. The difference is that the Generates Lift
canard actually creates lift and holds the nose up, as
opposed to the aft-tail design which exerts downward
force on the tail to prevent the nose from rotating
downward.
Primary Flight Controls
The Rudder

The rudder controls movement of the aircraft about its vertical axis. This motion is called yaw. Like the other primary
control surfaces, the rudder is a movable surface hinged to a fixed surface in this case, to the vertical stabilizer or fin.

Right Rudder Left Rudder

Primary Flight Controls
The Rudder

The rudder controls movement of the aircraft about its vertical axis. This motion is called yaw. Like the other primary
control surfaces, the rudder is a movable surface hinged to a fixed surface in this case, to the vertical stabilizer or fin.

The V-Tail Design

The V-tail design utilizes two slanted tail surfaces to

perform the same functions as the surfaces of a
conventional elevator and rudder configuration. The fixed
surfaces act as both horizontal and vertical stabilizers.
These ruddervators are connected through a special
linkage that allows the control wheel to move both
surfaces simultaneously. On the other hand, displacement
of the rudder pedals moves the surfaces differentially,
thereby providing directional control.
Secondary Flight Controls
Secondary flight control systems may consist of wing flaps, leading edge devices, spoilers, and trim systems.

Trim
Flaps
Leading Edge

Spoilers
Secondary Flight Controls
Flaps

Flaps are the most common high-lift devices used on aircraft. These surfaces, which are attached to the trailing edge
of the wing, increase both lift and induced drag for any given AOA. Flaps allow a compromise between high cruising
speed and low landing speed because they may be extended when needed and retracted into the wing’s structure
when not needed.

Plain Flaps

The plain flap is the simplest of the four types. It increases

the airfoil camber, resulting in a significant increase in the
coefficient of lift (CL) at a given AOA. At the same time, it
greatly increases drag and moves the center of pressure
(CP) aft on the airfoil, resulting in a nose-down pitching
moment.
Secondary Flight Controls
Flaps

Flaps are the most common high-lift devices used on aircraft. These surfaces, which are attached to the trailing edge
of the wing, increase both lift and induced drag for any given AOA. Flaps allow a compromise between high cruising
speed and low landing speed because they may be extended when needed and retracted into the wing’s structure
when not needed..

Split Flaps

The split flap is deflected from the lower surface of the

airfoil and produces a slightly greater increase in lift than
the plain flap. More drag is created because of the
turbulent air pattern produced behind the airfoil. When
fully extended, both plain and split flaps produce high drag
with little additional lift.
Secondary Flight Controls
Flaps

Flaps are the most common high-lift devices used on aircraft. These surfaces, which are attached to the trailing edge
of the wing, increase both lift and induced drag for any given AOA. Flaps allow a compromise between high cruising
speed and low landing speed because they may be extended when needed and retracted into the wing’s structure
when not needed..

Slotted Flaps

Slotted flaps increase the lift coefficient significantly more

than plain or split flaps. On small aircraft, the hinge is
located below the lower surface of the flap, and when the
flap is lowered, a duct forms between the flap well in the
wing and the leading edge of the flap. When it is lowered,
high energy air from the lower surface is ducted to the
flap’s upper surface.
Secondary Flight Controls
Flaps

Flaps are the most common high-lift devices used on aircraft. These surfaces, which are attached to the trailing edge
of the wing, increase both lift and induced drag for any given AOA. Flaps allow a compromise between high cruising
speed and low landing speed because they may be extended when needed and retracted into the wing’s structure
when not needed..

Fowler Flaps

Fowler flaps are a type of slotted flap. This flap design not
only changes the camber of the wing, it also increases the
wing area. Instead of rotating down on a hinge, it slides
backwards on tracks. In the first portion of its extension, it
increases the drag very little, but increases the lift a great
deal as it increases both the area and camber. During the
last portion of its travel, the flap increases the drag with
little additional increase in lift.
Secondary Flight Controls
Leading Edge Devices

High-lift devices also can be applied to the leading edge of the airfoil. The most common types are fixed slots,
movable slats, leading edge flaps, and cuffs.

Fixed Slots

Fixed slots direct airflow to the upper wing surface and

delay airflow separation at higher angles of attack. The
slot does not increase the wing camber, but allows a
higher maximum lift coefficient because the stall is
delayed until the wing reaches a greater AOA.

Delayed Airflow Separation

Secondary Flight Controls
Leading Edge Devices

High-lift devices also can be applied to the leading edge of the airfoil. The most common types are fixed slots,
movable slats, leading edge flaps, and cuffs.

Movable Slats

Movable slats consist of leading edge segments that

move on tracks. At low angles of attack, each slat is held
flush against the wing’s leading edge by the high pressure
that forms at the wing’s leading edge. As the AOA
increases, the high pressure area moves aft below the
lower surface of the wing, allowing the slats to move
forward. Move In and Out
Secondary Flight Controls
Leading Edge Devices

High-lift devices also can be applied to the leading edge of the airfoil. The most common types are fixed slots,
movable slats, leading edge flaps, and cuffs.

Leading Edge Flaps

This type of leading edge device is frequently used in

conjunction with trailing edge flaps and can reduce the
nose-down pitching movement produced by the latter. As
is true with trailing edge flaps, a small increment of
leading edge flaps increases lift to a much greater extent
than drag. As flaps are extended, drag increases at a
greater rate than lift.
Extend and Retract
Secondary Flight Controls
Leading Edge Devices

High-lift devices also can be applied to the leading edge of the airfoil. The most common types are fixed slots,
movable slats, leading edge flaps, and cuffs.

Leading Edge Cuffs

Leading edge cuffs are fixed aerodynamic devices. In

most cases, leading edge cuffs extend the leading edge
down and forward. This causes the airflow to attach
better to the upper surface of the wing at higher angles of
attack, thus lowering an aircraft’s stall speed.

Increased Wing Camber

Secondary Flight Controls
Spoilers

Found on some fixed-wing aircraft, high drag devices called spoilers are deployed from the wings to spoil the smooth
airflow, reducing lift and increasing drag.

Spoiler Uses

Spoilers are often used for roll control, an advantage of

which is the elimination of adverse yaw. Spoilers are also
deployed to help reduce ground roll after landing. By
destroying lift, they transfer weight to the wheels, improving
braking effectiveness.
Secondary Flight Controls
Trim Systems

Trim systems are used to relieve the pilot of the need to maintain constant pressure on the flight controls, and usually
consist of flight deck controls and small hinged devices attached to the trailing edge of one or more of the primary
flight control surfaces.

Trim Tabs

The most common installation on small aircraft is a single

trim tab attached to the trailing edge of the elevator. Most
trim tabs are manually operated by a small, vertically
mounted control wheel. However, a trim crank may be found
in some aircraft.
Travel In Opposite
Direction of Elevator
Secondary Flight Controls
Trim Systems

Trim systems are used to relieve the pilot of the need to maintain constant pressure on the flight controls, and usually
consist of flight deck controls and small hinged devices attached to the trailing edge of one or more of the primary
flight control surfaces.

Balance Tabs

The control forces may be excessively high in some aircraft,

and, in order to decrease them, the manufacturer may use
balance tabs. They are coupled to the control surface rod so
that when the primary control surface is moved in any
direction, the tab automatically moves in the opposite
direction.

Mechanical Linkage
With Control Surface
Secondary Flight Controls
Trim Systems

Trim systems are used to relieve the pilot of the need to maintain constant pressure on the flight controls, and usually
consist of flight deck controls and small hinged devices attached to the trailing edge of one or more of the primary
flight control surfaces.

Servo Tabs

A servo tab is a small portion of a flight control surface that

deploys in such a way that it helps to move the entire flight
control surface in the direction that the pilot wishes it to go.
A servo tab is a dynamic device that deploys to decrease the
pilots work load and de-stabilize the aircraft. Usually found
on large aircraft.

Assists the Pilot in

Moving a Large Control Surface
Secondary Flight Controls
Trim Systems

Trim systems are used to relieve the pilot of the need to maintain constant pressure on the flight controls, and usually
consist of flight deck controls and small hinged devices attached to the trailing edge of one or more of the primary
flight control surfaces.

Antiservo Tabs

Antiservo tabs work in the same manner as balance tabs

except, instead of moving in the opposite direction, they Moves in the Same
move in the same direction as the trailing edge of the Direction as the Stabilator
stabilator. In addition to decreasing the sensitivity of the To Decrease Sensitivity
stabilator, an antiservo tab also functions as a trim device to
relieve control pressure and maintain the stabilator in the
desired position.
Secondary Flight Controls
Trim Systems

Trim systems are used to relieve the pilot of the need to maintain constant pressure on the flight controls, and usually
consist of flight deck controls and small hinged devices attached to the trailing edge of one or more of the primary
flight control surfaces.

Ground Adjustable Tabs

Many small aircraft have a non-movable metal trim tab on

the rudder. This tab is bent in one direction or the other while
on the ground to apply a trim force to the rudder. The correct
displacement is determined by trial and error. Displacement by
Trial and Error
Secondary Flight Controls
Trim Systems

Trim systems are used to relieve the pilot of the need to maintain constant pressure on the flight controls, and usually
consist of flight deck controls and small hinged devices attached to the trailing edge of one or more of the primary
flight control surfaces.

Adjustable Stabilizer

Rather than using a movable tab on the trailing edge of the

elevator, some aircraft have an adjustable stabilizer. With
this arrangement, linkages pivot the horizontal stabilizer
about its rear spar. This is accomplished by the use of a
jackscrew mounted on the leading edge of the stabilator.

Jackscrew moves the Horizontal Stabilizer

Secondary Flight Controls
Autopilot

Autopilot is an automatic flight control system that keeps an aircraft in level flight or on a set course. It can be
directed by the pilot, or it may be coupled to a radio navigation signal.

How it Works

The simplest systems use gyroscopic attitude indicators and

magnetic compasses to control servos connected to the
flight control system. The number and location of these
servos depends on the complexity of the system. A three-
axis autopilot controls the aircraft about the longitudinal,
lateral, and vertical axes.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson we discussed the primary and TAKE LESSON QUIZ
secondary flight controls that included: ailerons,
elevator, rudder, flaps, leading edge devices,
spoilers, trim, and auto pilot.

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