Aircraft Pitch Control and Directional Control

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of ailerons in a fixed-wing aircraft?

To control the pitch of the aircraft

To control the yaw of the aircraft

To rotate the aircraft around the longitudinal axis (roll) (correct)

To stabilize the aircraft during flight

Which flight control surface is responsible for rotating the aircraft around the lateral axis (pitch)?

Rudder

Elevator (correct)

Aileron

Horizontal stabilizer

What is the effect of moving the control stick or yoke to the left on the ailerons?

Both ailerons go down

The left aileron goes up and the right aileron goes down (correct)

Both ailerons go up

The left aileron goes down and the right aileron goes up

What is the phenomenon that occurs when the deflection of an aileron on a wing tip causes the aircraft to perform a roll movement contrary to what was initially intended?

Aileron reversal Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of dividing flight control surfaces into primary and secondary groups?

To distinguish between main and auxiliary control surfaces Signup and view all the answers

Which axis is controlled by the movement of the rudder?

Vertical axis (yaw) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of moving the control stick or yoke to the right?

The right aileron goes down and the left aileron goes up Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the rigidity of a wing to resist twisting?

Torsional rigidity Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when an aileron is deflected on a wing with low torsional rigidity?

The wing twists and causes aileron reversal Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions is it necessary to fix the aileron?

During high dynamic pressures and with wings with low torsional rigidity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a stabilator in an aircraft?

To combine the action of the horizontal stabilizer and elevator Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of deflecting the elevator downward?

The nose of the aircraft pitches down Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a canard wing in an aircraft?

To create lift and hold the nose up Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a variable incidence stabilizer in an aircraft?

To minimize drag when trimming the aircraft in flight Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the control wheel is pulled back in an aircraft with a stabilator?

The leading edge of the stabilator moves down Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of aileron-rudder coupling in an aircraft?

The rudder deflects in the correct direction for a coordinated turn Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a variable incidence stabilizer in an aircraft?

To adjust the angle of incidence of the horizontal stabilizer Signup and view all the answers

Why is a canard wing aircraft configuration used in some aircraft?

To provide a more stable and controlled flight Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of moving the control stick forward in an aircraft with a stabilator?

The nose of the aircraft pitches down Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a moverable horizontal tail section in an aircraft?

To combine the action of the horizontal stabilizer and elevator Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Flight Control Surfaces

Primary flight control surfaces include ailerons, elevator, and rudder
Ailerons are attached to the outboard trailing edge of both wings and rotate the aircraft around the longitudinal axis (roll)
Elevator is attached to the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer and rotates the aircraft around the lateral axis (pitch)
Rudder is attached to the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer and rotates the aircraft around the vertical axis (yaw)

Influence of CG on Pitch Control

CG ahead of CP: bigger deflection of elevator needed, high longitudinal stability, bigger control force needed
CG behind of CP: smaller deflection of elevator needed, smaller control force needed, low longitudinal stability

Directional Control

Pressing the right rudder pedal deflects the rudder to the right (tail goes left) which yaws the aircraft to the right
Rudder is used to overcome adverse yaw during turns and crosswind and one-engine operation
Rudder limiter prevents involuntary motion of the rudder unless commanded from the flight deck and depending on aircraft speed

Hybrid Control Surfaces

Ruddervator (rudder and elevator) for V-tail gives both pitching and yawing
Elevon (elevator and aileron) used on tail-less aircraft gives both pitching and rolling

Secondary or Auxiliary Devices

High lift devices provide good compromise between high cruising speed and low landing speed
Flaps are usually located on inboard wing trailing edge, leading edge flaps are also common
Aileron-rudder coupling: when pilots turn the control wheel, rudder will deflect in correct direction for a coordinated turn

Longitudinal Control

Movement of control stick forward deflects elevator downward, causing nose to go down (tail goes up)
Stabilator is a movable horizontal tail section that combines action of both horizontal stabilizer and elevator
Variable incidence stabilizer refers to any horizontal stabilizer with adjustable angle of incidence, used to minimize drag when trimming the aircraft in flight
Canard wing aircraft has a small wing or horizontal airfoil ahead of the main lifting surfaces, creating lift and holding the nose up

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Description

Learn about the impact of center of gravity on pitch control, including the effects of CG position on elevator deflection and control force. Also, discover how directional control works, including the use of rudder and aileron to turn the aircraft.