EO M 231.05 Describe Aircraft Control Surfaces Part 1

Teaching Point 1 Identify Control Surface of the Empennage

100

Q1. What two stabilizers are found on the empennage?

A1. The vertical stabilizer, or fin, and the horizontal stabilizer, or tailplane, are on the empennage. 

200

Q2. Which two moveable control surfaces are located in the empennage?

A2. The rudder and the elevator are found in the empennage. 

300

Q3. What axial movements do the elevator and the rudder produce?

A3. The rudder changes yaw around the vertical axis and the elevator changes pitch around the lateral axis.

Teaching Point 2 Explain How Stabilizers Reduce Unwanted Axial

100

Q1. What axial movement does the vertical stabilizer or fin reduce?

A1. The vertical stabilizer reduces unwanted roll and unwanted yaw. 

200

Q2. What axial movement does the horizontal stabilizer or tailplane reduce?

A2. The horizontal stabilizer reduces unwanted roll and unwanted pitch.

300

Q3. How do stabilizers reduce unwanted axial movements?

A3. Air moving past the flat stabilizer surfaces tends to resist any change of motion.

Teaching Point 3 Explain How the Rudder Produces Yaw

100

Q1. Where is the rudder located?

A1. The rudder is hinged to the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer of fin.

200

Q2. What is the rudder used for?

A2. To produce controlled yaw by rotating the aircraft about its vertical (yaw) axis.

300

Q3. What controls the rudder?

A3. A set of pedals in the cockpit.

Teaching Point 4 Explain How the Elevator Controls Pitch

100

Q1. Where is the elevator control surface located?

A1. The elevator control surface is located on the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer.

200

 Q2. What axial movement does the elevator control?

A2. The elevator controls pitch around the aircraft’s lateral axis.

300

Q3. How does the pilot operate the elevator?

A3. The pilot pushes on the control column to descend and pulls back to climb.