Primary Flight Controls
In aerospace engineering, Primary Flight Controls refer to the main control systems of an aircraft that directly affect its attitude and velocity. These controls are essential for the pilot to maintain and change the direction of flight. The three primary flight controls are the ailerons, elevator (or stabilator), and rudder. Ailerons, located on the trailing edge of the wings, control roll about the longitudinal axis. The elevator, located on the trailing edge of the horizontal part of the tail, controls pitch about the lateral axis. The rudder, located on the trailing edge of the vertical part of the tail, controls yaw about the vertical axis. These controls work in harmony to maneuver the aircraft in three dimensions. The pilot manipulates these controls in flight to achieve desired attitudes, speeds, and altitudes. In modern aircraft, these controls may be operated by mechanical linkages, hydraulic systems, or fly-by-wire systems where control inputs are sent electronically.
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