Flight Controls Flashcards
Flight controls allow the pilot to manage the aircraft’s attitude and trajectory. Primary controls (ailerons, elevator, rudder) control roll, pitch, and yaw, while secondary controls (trim tabs, flaps, spoilers) reduce pilot workload and improve performance. Understanding these systems is essential for airframe mechanics.
The FAA Airframe exam covers primary and secondary control surfaces, cable systems, control locks, trim systems, and balance tabs. These flashcards cover the components and concepts you need to master.
What You Need to Know
- Primary controls: ailerons (roll), elevator/stabilator (pitch), rudder (yaw)
- Secondary controls: flaps, trim tabs, spoilers, slats
- Control cable systems: cables, pulleys, bell cranks, turnbuckles
- Turnbuckles: adjust cable tension; must be safetied after adjustment
- Trim tabs: small adjustable surfaces that relieve control pressure
- Balance tabs: move opposite to the control surface to reduce control forces
- Servo tabs: pilot moves the tab, which moves the main surface
- Control surface balancing: surfaces must be statically balanced to prevent flutter
Why This Topic Appears on FAA Exams
Flight control failures can make an aircraft uncontrollable. Mechanics must understand control system rigging, cable tension, and surface balancing. The exam tests whether you know the components, their functions, and critical maintenance requirements like cable tension limits and control surface balancing.
Sample Flashcards
Tap any card to reveal the answer. These are just a sample — the full deck is available inside the study platform.
What are the three primary flight controls and what axes do they control?
What is the purpose of trim tabs?
What does a turnbuckle do in a control cable system?
What is the difference between a balance tab and a servo tab?
Study Tips
Memorize the primary controls and their axes: ailerons = roll (longitudinal axis), elevator = pitch (lateral axis), rudder = yaw (vertical axis). Focus on the different types of tabs and how they work: trim (relieves pressure), balance (moves opposite to help), servo (tab moves main surface). Remember that control surfaces must be balanced to prevent flutter.
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Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
Flutter is an aerodynamic oscillation that occurs when a control surface is unbalanced or loose. The surface rapidly oscillates, and the forces can build until the surface is torn from the aircraft. It is prevented by proper balancing, correct cable tension, and eliminating play in linkages.
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