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Aircraft movement
is different from automobiles. Whereas an automobile move in two axes but an
aircraft move in all three axes. This capability of an aircraft to move in
three dimensions has given the aircraft complex controls to handle this behemoth
of a machine.
Before we start describing the different aircraft movements let us understand a very basic concept of ‘movement about and along an axis’. When we say movement about XX' axis, what we mean is a movement along YY' axis. ‘Along’ means movement in parallel to a reference axis and ‘about’ means movement at right angle to the reference axis. So now let us now understand the different movements of the aircraft.
1. Roll movement
Roll is the
movement of an aircraft along lateral axis and about longitudinal
axis. Roll movement is accomplished by a pair of ailerons which move in
opposite direction to each other. Ailerons are control surfaces attached to the
trailing edge of the wings. The up going aileron generate drag and reduces the
lift in its respective wing. The down going aileron increases the camber
thereby increasing the lift in its respective wing. The movement of ailerons is
controlled by the sideways movement of control yoke or control stick in the
cockpit.
2. Pitch movement
Pitch is the
movement of an aircraft along longitudinal axis and about
lateral axis. Pitch movement is accomplished by a pair of
elevators that move together in the same direction. Elevators are controlled surfaces
attached to the trailing edge of horizontal stabilizers. When the elevators move
up the aircraft move up and vice versa when the elevators move down. The movement
of the elevators are controlled by the forward and backward movement of the
control yoke or control stick in the cockpit.
3. Yaw movement
Yaw is the
movement of an aircraft about its normal axis. Yaw movement
is accomplished by rudder. Rudder is the control surface attached to the
trailing edge of vertical stabilizer. When the rudder move to the right the aircraft
move to the right and vice versa when rudder is moved to the left. The movement
of ruder is controlled by the rudder pedals.
WATCH THE FOLLOWING VIDEO TO KNOW ABOUT AIRCRFAT MOVEMENT ABOUT ITS
AXES: