Control surfaces

Control surfaces are the parts of the airframe which move in order to change the flow of air around the airframe, and thus the aircraft's flying behavior. Control surfaces are moved by control linkages attaching them to servos.

Basic Anatomy

Types

• Elevator - The horizontally oriented, hinged part of the tail that controls yaw by moving in the direction that the plane will turn

• Rudder - The vertically oriented, hinged part of the tail that controls pitch by moving in the direction that the plane will shift attitude

• Ailerons - two horizontally oriented, hinged parts of the outer wings that, by moving in opposite directions, control the roll of the plane

• Flaps

• Spoilers

• Elevons

• Ruddervators (V-Tail)

• Decelerons (Flying Wing)

• Tip rudders

• Stabilators

• Tailerons