Alex Airplane The Empennage

Question 1

Empennage

Answer 1

The empennage consists of the vertical stabilizer, or fin, and the horizontal stabilizer. These two surfaces act like thye feathers on an arrow to steady the airplane and help you maintain a straight path through the air.

Question 2

Empennage contains

Answer 2

The vertical and horizontal stabilizers are located on the empennage.

Question 3

Rudder

Answer 3

The rudder is attached to the back of the vertical stabilizer and can be used to move the nose of the airplane left or right, much like a rudder is used to trim a ship. However the airplane differs in that you will normally need to use the rudder in combination with the ailerons to turn an airplane correctly.

Question 4

Rudder Operation

Answer 4

You can operate the rudder with your feet, using pedals located in the cockpit. When you press the left rudder pedal, connecting cables move the rudder to the left which causes the airplane’s nose to move to the left. Pressing the right pedal moves the rudder and nose to the right.

Question 5

Elevator

Answer 5

The elevator is attached to the back of the horizontal stabilizer. During flight, you can use it move the nose up and down, directing the airplane to the desired altitude, or height.

Question 6

Elevator control

Answer 6

The elevator is controlled by the control wheel through a system of cables, pulleys, and other connnecting devices. When you pull back on the wheel, the elevator and nose move up; when you push forward, the elevator and nose move down.

Question 7

Stabilator

Answer 7

Some empennage design use a one-piece horizontal stabilizer called a stabilator. Used in lieu of an elevator, the stabilator pivots up and down on a central hinge point. When you pull back on the control wheel, the nose moves up; when you push forward, the nose moves down.

Question 8

Stabilator

Answer 8

Some airplanes use a stabilator which perfoerms the same function as the horizontal stabilizer/elevator combination.