Control Surfaces 1

Control surfaces are manipulatable parts of an aircraft that can be controlled by the pilot in order to change the direction of the aircraft.

There are 3 basic axis on which this takes place.

Yaw

The yaw of an aircraft is altered by its rudders. These are typically on the tail and turn in order to for air to make the aircraft 'brake' on one side, pivoting on that point due to the air resistance it meets. This resistance and directional change of airflow turns the aircraft side to side, in relation to the aircraft itself.

Pitch

Pitch is typically altered by the elevators. Some aircraft have canards that do this instead. the difference is where they are on the aircraft. Elevators are usually at the back of the aircraft, on the tail section. The flap up and down like the rudder turned on its side in order to make the aircraft tilt down or up in relation to the aircraft itself by providing more air resistance on one point and directing the airflow in a different direction. Canards are much the same, except they are at the front of the aircraft and fixated tot he fuselage rather than a tail wing.

Roll

The roll of an aircraft is how 'tilted' it is side to side. This is controlled by the ailerons. These are much like the elevators, except they raise and lower in alternate directions. Instead of combining aircraft to make the aircraft go 'up and down', one wing goes 'down' whilst the other wants to go 'up' (all directions being ambiguous and relative tot he aircraft), forcing it to spin on its axis.

Below is an illustration demonstrating what these control surfaces do and where they typically are on an aircraft.

A diagram depicting how basic control surfaces work.