Which fixed-wing control surface creates movement around the lateral axis?

Which fixed-wing control surface creates movement around the lateral axis?

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

Answer: (A)

Movement around the lateral axis corresponds to pitch. The elevator is the fixed-wing surface that controls this motion. It’s mounted on the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer and deflects up or down to change the tail’s angle of attack, which raises or lowers the nose of the aircraft. When the elevator is moved down, the nose pitches up; when moved up, the nose pitches down. Ailerons control movement about the longitudinal axis (roll), the rudder controls movement about the vertical axis (yaw), and flaps mainly adjust lift and drag on the wings rather than serving as the primary pitch-control surface.

Movement around the lateral axis corresponds to pitch. The elevator is the fixed-wing surface that controls this motion. It’s mounted on the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer and deflects up or down to change the tail’s angle of attack, which raises or lowers the nose of the aircraft. When the elevator is moved down, the nose pitches up; when moved up, the nose pitches down.

Ailerons control movement about the longitudinal axis (roll), the rudder controls movement about the vertical axis (yaw), and flaps mainly adjust lift and drag on the wings rather than serving as the primary pitch-control surface.