Private Pilot Private Exam

The elevator controls movement around which axis?

1. Longitudinal

2. Lateral

3. Vertical

4. Transverse

The correct answer is: Lateral

The elevator is a control surface found on the tail of an aircraft that is primarily responsible for controlling pitch, which is the up and down movement of the aircraft's nose. This pitch movement occurs around the lateral axis, which runs from wingtip to wingtip. When a pilot pulls back on the control yoke or stick, the elevator moves upward, causing the nose of the aircraft to rise; conversely, pushing forward causes the elevator to move downward, resulting in a downward pitch. Understanding the axes of flight is crucial for pilots. The longitudinal axis runs from the nose to the tail of the aircraft and is affected by ailerons, which control roll. The vertical axis, which goes from the top to the bottom of the aircraft, is controlled by the rudder, affecting yaw. The transverse axis is often not used to define any specific movements in aviation terminology; instead, it aligns with the lateral axis when discussing pitch. Therefore, the correct link between elevators and motion relies on identifying that they influence the movement around the lateral axis.