Principles of Flight Chapter 3 Stability and Control

Principles of Flight Chapter 3 – Stability and Control

Stability l An Aircraft must be stable in flight in order to perform well l Also we must be able to control the aircrafts movement.

Yaw Aircraft turns left or right

Controlling - Yaw l Using the rudder pedals the pilot moves the rudder left or right to change the aircrafts direction.

Pitch Aircrafts noses Up or Down

Controlling - Pitch Moving the stick forwards/back lifts or lowers the aircrafts nose by generating more or less lift at the tail l It uses Elevators to do this l

Roll Aircraft “twists”

Controlling - Roll Moving the stick left/right rolls the aircraft by generating more lift on one side. l It does this by moving flaps known as Ailerons l

Trimming l When an aircraft pitches involuntarily it needs to be trimmed. l Small flaps mounted on the Elevators called “Trimming tabs” jut out from the elevators to increase the camber. l Aileron and Rudder trimming is the same

Flaps l Flaps increase wing camber and/or area

Flaps l Flaps allow aircraft to fly safely at slow speeds l They are mounted on the inside of the wings and can hinge down to increase lift at slow speeds

Slats l Like flaps at the front of the wing l They slide out of the leading edge and are used at low speed l Positioned on leading edge of the wing