Which control surface on a fixed-wing aircraft is used to control pitch by tilting the nose up or down?

Which control surface on a fixed-wing aircraft is used to control pitch by tilting the nose up or down?

• A. Aileron
• B. Rudder
• C. Elevator
• D. Flap

Answer: (C)

Pitch is controlled by the elevator, a movable surface on the tail’s horizontal stabilizer. When you pull back on the control stick, the elevator deflects upward, increasing the tail’s downward force and tilting the nose up. Pushing forward deflects it downward, reducing tail downward force and tilting the nose down. This is how the aircraft climbs or descends. Ailerons control roll (tilting the wings to bank left or right). The rudder handles yaw (nose left or right). Flaps are used to increase lift and drag for takeoff and landing, not for primary pitch control.

Pitch is controlled by the elevator, a movable surface on the tail’s horizontal stabilizer. When you pull back on the control stick, the elevator deflects upward, increasing the tail’s downward force and tilting the nose up. Pushing forward deflects it downward, reducing tail downward force and tilting the nose down. This is how the aircraft climbs or descends.

Ailerons control roll (tilting the wings to bank left or right). The rudder handles yaw (nose left or right). Flaps are used to increase lift and drag for takeoff and landing, not for primary pitch control.