Ailerons
In the context of aerospace engineering, ailerons are hinged flight control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. They are used to control the aircraft in roll, which results in a change in heading due to the tilting of the aircraft axis. The ailerons work in pairs and move in the opposite direction: when one goes up, the other goes down. The upward-moving aileron decreases the lift on that wing and the downward-moving aileron increases the lift on the other wing, causing the aircraft to roll. Ailerons are a critical component in the control system of aircraft, allowing pilots to balance the aircraft, execute turns, and handle wind gusts. They are typically controlled by the pilot via the control stick or wheel, but can also be automatically adjusted by onboard flight control systems to maintain stability.
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