Which control surface provides longitudinal control (roll)?

Which control surface provides longitudinal control (roll)?

• A. Ailerons
• B. Rudder
• C. Elevators and Stabilizers
• D. Cyclic

Answer: (A)

Roll is rotation about the airplane’s longitudinal axis, so you need a surface that creates a difference in lift between the two wings. Ailerons, located on the trailing edges near the wingtips, move in opposite directions—one wing’s aileron goes down to increase lift while the other goes up to reduce lift. This differential lift banks the aircraft and causes a roll. Elevators and stabilizers control pitch (nose up/down), the rudder controls yaw (nose left/right), and cyclic is a rotorcraft term that tilts the rotor disk to affect pitch and roll in helicopters. Therefore, the ailerons are the surface that provides longitudinal control (roll).

Roll is rotation about the airplane’s longitudinal axis, so you need a surface that creates a difference in lift between the two wings. Ailerons, located on the trailing edges near the wingtips, move in opposite directions—one wing’s aileron goes down to increase lift while the other goes up to reduce lift. This differential lift banks the aircraft and causes a roll. Elevators and stabilizers control pitch (nose up/down), the rudder controls yaw (nose left/right), and cyclic is a rotorcraft term that tilts the rotor disk to affect pitch and roll in helicopters. Therefore, the ailerons are the surface that provides longitudinal control (roll).