Principles of Flight - Primary Flight Controls (1)

All maneuvers are done based on different combinations of primary flight movement including Roll, Pitch and Yaw.

First, we have to understand that aircraft moves along three axes of rotation:

Longitudinal Axes: Extends from nose to tail

Lateral Axes: Extends from one wingtip to another wingtip

Vertical Axes: Passes vertically through the center of gravity

The diagram below lists out the relationship among (1) Primary Control Surface, (2) Airplane Movement and (3) Axes of Rotation.

How can pilot maneuver the above control surfaces in the cockpit?

Aileron (Roll): By turning the yoke or joystick

• Left Turn : turn the control to the left
• Right Turn : turn the control to the right

Elevator (Pitch): By pulling or pushing the yoke or joystick 

• Pitch Up : pull the control up
• Pitch Down : push the control down

Rudder (Yaw): By stepping the rudder pedal 

• Yaw Left : step the left rudder
• Yaw Right : step the right rudder