Flight controls are moveable aerodynamic surfaces that allow a pilot to control an aircraft while in the air. In nearly all airplanes, flight control systems are attached to the fuselage, wings, and tail, and they allow aircraft to turn and change elevation. Shaped like an airfoil, each control surface can be moved to alter the airflow around the plane. With these control surfaces, the plane is able to navigate along the longitudinal axis, lateral axis, and vertical axis. As a result, pilots can make controlled movements in the sky and during takeoff and landing. To learn more about the types of flight control surfaces found on aircraft, read on as we discuss ailerons, elevators, rudders, and more.
The ailerons are small, moveable flaps at the back of the wings which can be tilted either upward or downward with the aid of a hydraulic system. When the ailerons on one wing are angled upward, those on the opposite wing will be tilted downward. This creates a disruption in airflow so that if the ailerons on the right are raised, there will be an increase in downward force and decrease in lift on the right wing. Consequently, as the ailerons on the left wing are lowered, they will experience the opposite, which is an increase in lift. When combined with the motion of the rudder on the tail of the plane, the vessel can make a turn in the air.
On the tail of an aircraft, there is usually a set of horizontal control surfaces called elevators. As the name implies, these control surfaces affect the pitch of the plane so that it may go higher or lower in elevation. Working in pairs, the elevators can be moved up or down to change the airflow along the tail. When angled upward, downward force increases on the tail to push it down and bring the nose of the plane up, allowing it to climb. As such, they are always deployed upward during takeoff. Conversely, when the elevators are down, lift is increased on the tail, pushing it up and lowering the aircraft’s nose. This is used to cause the plane to descend, such as in preparation for landing.
The rudder is a moveable control surface that is located vertically on the tail of the plane. Similar to the rudder on a boat, aircraft rudders are used to control rotation about the vertical axis of the vessel. By angling the rudder to one side, there will be more force on one side of the tail than the other. For example, when the rudder is angled to the left, the plane will also turn to the left in a yaw motion. When used together with the ailerons, the rudder can be operated to turn right or left.
Whereas all of the control surfaces described above are located at the trailing edge of the wings and tail, there are also leading edge devices. The most common leading edge devices are fixed slots, moveable slats, leading edge flaps, and cuffs. Each of these devices are used to increase the critical angle of attack and delay stalls. In addition to leading edge devices, there are an array of flaps used during takeoff and landing to help improve aircraft performance. They increase the airfoil camber, resulting in a significant increase in the coefficient of lift. Finally, there are spoilers which are devices intended to reduce the lift component of an airfoil in a controlled way. Typically, spoilers are plates located on the top surface of a wing that can be angled upward into the airflow.
The rudder, ailerons, and elevators are critical components on airplanes of all types for maneuvering in the air. If you are an airplane owner or operator looking to find components for your latest project or repairs, The Aerospace World has you covered. With a vast inventory of over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find components, we guarantee high-grade, durable offerings such as actuator flaps, steering wheels, actuator rudders, and more. Begin exploring our online catalog of parts today and take advantage of our Instant RFQ service to receive quotes for your comparisons. With representatives on standby 24/7x365, you can expect a reply from one of our industry experts in less than 15 minutes of sending your completed RFQ form.
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