Primary Flight Controls Flashcards
What is meant by the term differential ailerons, and what is their purpose?
The ailerons can travel further up than down, therefore increasing drag on the down-going wing. This is to reduce the amount of adverse yaw when rolling.
Why does the control column have a weight at the bottom of the shaft?
In order to improve feedback when pulling g, and to make it harder to over-g the aircraft. As g is increased, the amount of force required to move the elevators further is increased.
Why are all three primary control surfaces mass balanced?
To ease control loads, reduce flutter and improve control stability.
How is the elevator trim controlled in the cockpit?
By blipping the top hat located on the top of the control column in the appropriate direction.
How is the rudder trim controlled in the cockpit?
Via the rocker switch located on the forward face of the throttle lever.
What part of the control surface moves when the trim is changed for the following control surfaces:
A) Elevators
B) Rudder
C) Ailerons
A) Just the trim tab.
B) Just the trim tab.
C) There are no trim tabs that can be controlled from the cockpit, so the ailerons themselves are offset.
Where is the Trim Interrupt Button located?
On the top of the control column, to the right of the top hat.
What effect does the Trim Interrupt Button have when held?
It cuts power to the trim actuators whilst the button is held. It also automatically turns off the TAD, which will remain off unless it is physically switched on again once the interrupt button has been released.
Describe how the gust lock works.
The gust lock holds the control column in place, preventing movement of the ailerons and elevators. There is also a hidden mechanism that locks the rudder in place.
Which position is the elevator locked in when the gust lock is used and why?
It is locked in the “nose down” position - this reduces the possibility of pitch-up movements in gusts when parked.
