Chapter 6: Flight Controls Flashcards
What are the primary flight controls?
- Ailerons
- Elevator (or stabilator)
- Rudder
What are the secondary flight controls?
- Wing flaps
- Leading edge devices
- Spoilers
- Trim systems
What is the function of the ailerons?
Control roll about the longitudinal axis.
What is the function of the elevator?
Control pitch about the lateral axis.
What is the function of the rudder?
Control yaw about the vertical axis.
What is adverse yaw?
A tendency for the aircraft to yaw in the opposite direction of a turn due to drag differences.
Name four systems designed to reduce adverse yaw.
- Differential ailerons
- Frise-type ailerons
- Coupled ailerons and rudder
- Flaperons
What are flaperons?
Control surfaces combining the functions of flaps and ailerons.
What is a T-tail design?
A configuration where the horizontal stabilizer is mounted on top of the vertical stabilizer.
What are the benefits of a T-tail?
- Consistent control movements in undisturbed airflow.
- Keeps the tail out of engine exhaust.
- Reduces noise and vibration.
What is a stabilator?
A one-piece horizontal stabilizer that pivots from a central hinge point.
What is a canard?
A horizontal stabilizer located in front of the main wings, providing lift and stability.
What are the four common types of flaps?
- Plain flaps
- Split flaps
- Slotted flaps
- Fowler flaps
What is the purpose of spoilers?
Reduce lift and increase drag to control descent or assist in braking.
What are trim tabs?
Small, adjustable tabs on flight control surfaces to reduce pilot workload and maintain position.
