Systems: Flight Controls

Primary Flight Controls

• Purpose: Control the aircraft’s basic movement about the three axes (pitch, roll, and yaw). They are essential for safe flight.
• Components:
  1. Ailerons: Control roll (longitudinal axis).
  2. Elevator (or Stabilator): Controls pitch (lateral axis).
  3. Rudder: Controls yaw (vertical axis).
• Characteristics:
  • Directly affect the aircraft’s attitude and trajectory.
  • These controls are needed to control the airplane and must be working before flight.

Secondary Flight Controls

• Purpose: Improve performance, efficiency, and comfort; reduce pilot workload.
• Components:
  1. Flaps: Increase lift and drag, used primarily during takeoff and landing.
  2. Trim Systems: Relieve control forces on the primary flight controls (e.g., elevator trim).
  3. Spoilers (in some aircraft): Reduce lift and increase drag.
  4. Leading Edge Devices (in advanced aircraft): Enhance lift at lower speeds.
• Characteristics:
  • Not required for basic flight but enhance performance and ease of control.
  • Used situationally, such as during climbs, descents, or landings.

Summary

• Primary: Essential for controlling the aircraft (ailerons, elevator, rudder).
• Secondary: Assist and optimize performance (flaps, trim, spoilers).
• Your yoke and pedals move the primary controls through mechanical linkages in the trainer shown. Losing electrical power does not take away that manual control, although electric flaps and trim need electricity.