Flight Controls
In aerospace engineering, flight controls are the means by which a pilot controls the direction and attitude of an aircraft in flight. These controls are traditionally divided into primary and secondary systems. The primary flight controls, ailerons, elevators, and rudders, are used to control the aircraft's roll, pitch, and yaw respectively. Ailerons, located on the trailing edge of the aircraft's wings, control roll. Elevators, located on the tail, control pitch. The rudder, also located on the tail, controls yaw. Secondary flight controls include flaps, slats, spoilers, and trim systems. These systems are used to enhance the performance characteristics of the aircraft, such as lift and drag, during different phases of flight. The operation of these controls can be manual, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electronic, depending on the design of the aircraft. Modern aircraft often use a combination of these systems, known as fly-by-wire, where the pilot's inputs are converted to electronic signals and then acted upon by the flight control systems.
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