Flight control surfaces

Flight control surfaces are movable or adjustable aircraft surfaces that alter aerodynamic forces to control attitude, direction, or lift.

Aileron: A hinged wing surface that controls roll by changing lift on opposite sides of an aircraft. Deflecting ailerons creates the principal rolling moment on conventional airplanes.
Aerodynamic force: A force exerted on a body by moving air, including lift and drag. Control surfaces work by changing the air forces acting on the aircraft.
Flap: A movable wing surface that increases lift, and often drag, when extended. Flaps allow slower approaches and shorter takeoff or landing distances.
Thrust vectoring: A method of steering an aircraft by directing engine thrust away from its usual axis. It produces control forces through engine exhaust rather than deflected aerodynamic surfaces.
Adverse yaw: Yaw opposite a commanded turn, commonly caused by unequal drag on wings during aileron roll input. Aileron deflection can create drag differences that oppose the intended turn.
Elevator: A hinged tail surface that controls pitch by changing the horizontal tail’s aerodynamic force. Elevator deflection changes the pitching moment and helps set the aircraft’s attitude.
Aircraft principal axes: The longitudinal, lateral, and vertical axes about which an aircraft rolls, pitches, and yaws. Each primary control surface chiefly changes rotation about one of these axes.
Slat: A leading-edge device that delays airflow separation and increases usable lift at high angles of attack. Slats help preserve control and lift during slow flight.
Reaction control system: A system of thrusters that controls an aircraft or spacecraft by expelling reaction mass. It can provide attitude control where airflow is too thin for aerodynamic surfaces.
Dutch roll: A coupled oscillation combining yaw and roll in an aircraft. Rudder and aileron inputs influence this lateral-directional motion.

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