Movement about the longitudinal axis is roll, controlled by which surface?

Movement about the longitudinal axis is roll, controlled by which surface?

• A. Elevators
• B. Ailerons
• C. Rudders
• D. Flaps

Answer: (B)

Movement about the longitudinal axis is roll. The surface that controls roll is the ailerons. Ailerons are on the outer portions of the wings and move in opposite directions: one up and the other down. This difference in wing lift causes the aircraft to tilt and rotate around the nose-to-tail axis. Elevators control pitch (nose up or down) about the lateral axis, and rudders control yaw (nose left or right) about the vertical axis. Flaps primarily change lift and drag for takeoff and landing, and they don’t govern roll.

Movement about the longitudinal axis is roll. The surface that controls roll is the ailerons. Ailerons are on the outer portions of the wings and move in opposite directions: one up and the other down. This difference in wing lift causes the aircraft to tilt and rotate around the nose-to-tail axis. Elevators control pitch (nose up or down) about the lateral axis, and rudders control yaw (nose left or right) about the vertical axis. Flaps primarily change lift and drag for takeoff and landing, and they don’t govern roll.