Flight Controls

In the cockpit, you have several ways to control the airplane. The power control allows the pilot to adjust how fast the plane goes. By adding more power, the plane will speed up, and by pulling the power back, the plane will slow down.

The yoke, or control wheel, performs two functions. First, you can make the plane go up and down. Pull back on the yoke and the elevator moves up, causing the tail to go down and the nose to pitch up, making the plane gain altitude. Push the yoke forward and the elevator moves down, causing the tail to go down and the nose to go down, making the plane lose altitude.

Second, you can make the plane go left and right. Turn the yoke to the left and this moves the ailerons. The left aileron goes up and the right aileron goes down. This makes the plane bank left. The opposite movement happens if you turn the yoke to the right.

The rudder pedals are also of use to a pilot. On the ground, they act as brakes while the plane is taxiing. In the air, when pressed, they move the rudder. The left rudder pedal moves the rudder left, and the right rudder pedal moves the rudder right.

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