Which flight control surface primarily controls pitch about the lateral axis?

Which flight control surface primarily controls pitch about the lateral axis?

• A. Ailerons
• B. Elevators
• C. Rudder
• D. Flaps

Answer: (B)

Pitch is the rotation about the lateral axis, which runs wingtip to wingtip. The surface that governs this motion is the elevator, located on the horizontal stabilizer. Deflecting the elevator up or down changes the tail’s angle of attack and, in turn, creates a nose-up or nose-down moment, allowing the aircraft to pitch the nose accordingly. Ailerons move to roll the aircraft about the longitudinal axis, which is different from pitch. The rudder controls yaw about the vertical axis, and flaps mainly change lift and drag for approach and landing rather than controlling pitch.

Pitch is the rotation about the lateral axis, which runs wingtip to wingtip. The surface that governs this motion is the elevator, located on the horizontal stabilizer. Deflecting the elevator up or down changes the tail’s angle of attack and, in turn, creates a nose-up or nose-down moment, allowing the aircraft to pitch the nose accordingly. Ailerons move to roll the aircraft about the longitudinal axis, which is different from pitch. The rudder controls yaw about the vertical axis, and flaps mainly change lift and drag for approach and landing rather than controlling pitch.