Name three common aircraft control surfaces.

Name three common aircraft control surfaces.

• A. Elevators, rudder, canards
• B. Flaps, ailerons, rudder
• C. Ailerons, elevators, spoilers
• D. Ailerons, elevator, rudder

Answer: (D)

The three main movable surfaces that control an airplane’s orientation are the ones that manage roll, pitch, and yaw. Ailerons sit on the wings and make the aircraft tilt from side to side (roll). Elevators are on the tail and push the nose up or down (pitch). The rudder, also on the tail, moves the nose left or right (yaw). Together, these three provide the basic flight-control inputs for the standard axes of motion, which is why they’re considered the common trio. Other surface types exist for special purposes: flaps increase lift for takeoff and landing, spoilers can reduce lift or assist braking, and canards (where used) provide lift and pitch control from forward of the wings. These are important in many aircraft, but they aren’t the conventional three primary control surfaces.

The three main movable surfaces that control an airplane’s orientation are the ones that manage roll, pitch, and yaw. Ailerons sit on the wings and make the aircraft tilt from side to side (roll). Elevators are on the tail and push the nose up or down (pitch). The rudder, also on the tail, moves the nose left or right (yaw). Together, these three provide the basic flight-control inputs for the standard axes of motion, which is why they’re considered the common trio.

Other surface types exist for special purposes: flaps increase lift for takeoff and landing, spoilers can reduce lift or assist braking, and canards (where used) provide lift and pitch control from forward of the wings. These are important in many aircraft, but they aren’t the conventional three primary control surfaces.