Tutor Platform
Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

Sign in to generate a study note

From the FAA library

  • Chapter 6: Flight Controls › Flight Control Systems › Primary Flight Controls

    Flight Control Systems Flight Controls Aircraft flight control systems consist of primary and secondary systems. The ailerons, elevator (or stabilator), and rudder constitute the primary control system and are required to control an aircraft safely during flight. Wing flaps, leading ... edge devices, spoilers, and trim systems constitute the secondary control system and improve the performance characteristics of the airplane or relieve the pilot of excessive control forces. Primary Flight Controls Aircraft control systems are carefully designed to provide adequate responsiveness…

  • Chapter 3: Basic Flight Maneuvers › Straight-and-Level Flight › Straight Flight

    wing, both wingtips should be level and equally above or below the natural horizon. Any necessary bank corrections are made with the pilot’s coordinated use of ailerons and rudder. [Figure 3-7] The pilot should understand that anytime ... wings are banked, the airplane turns. The objective of straight flight is to detect and correct small deviations, necessitating minor flight control corrections. The bank attitude information can also be obtained from a quick scan of the attitude indicator (which…

  • Chapter 9: Techniques of Flight Instruction › Positive Exchange of Flight Controls › Procedure

    Procedure During flight training, there should always be a clear understanding between learners and flight instructors about who has control of the aircraft. The preflight briefing should include procedures for the exchange of flight controls. A positive three-step process ... exchange of flight controls between pilots is a proven procedure and one that is strongly recommended. When an instructor is teaching a maneuver to a learner, the instructor normally demonstrates the maneuver first, then has the learner follow along…

  • Chapter 1: Introduction to Flight Training › Safety Considerations › Use of Checklists

    pilots. During flight training, there should be a clear understanding between the learner and flight instructor of who has control of the aircraft. Prior to any flight, a briefing should be conducted that includes the procedures for the exchange ... flight controls. The following three-step process for the exchange of flight controls is highly recommended. When a flight instructor wishes the learner to take control of the aircraft, he or she should say to the learner, “You have…

  • Chapter 6: Flight Controls

    addition, in some large and fast aircraft, controls are boosted by hydraulically or electrically actuated systems. In both the fly-by-wire and boosted controls, the feel of the control reaction is fed back to the pilot by simulated means ... Current research at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center involves Intelligent Flight Control Systems (IFCS). The goal of this project is to develop an adaptive neural network-based flight control system. Applied directly to flight…

  • Chapter 9: Approaches and Landings › Crosswind Approach and Landing › Crosswind Final Approach

    Crosswind Final Approach When using the crab method, the pilot makes a coordinated turn to establish a heading (crab) toward the wind. The selected heading should align the airplane’s wings-level ground track with the centerline of the runway ... pilot makes small heading corrections, if needed, to maintain alignment with the runway. [Figure 9-15] The appropriate crab angle is maintained until just prior to touchdown, when the pilot uses rudder control to align the longitudinal axis…