Aerodynamic Control Surfaces

movable surfaces that generate aerodynamic force and moment; used to control an aircraft in flight. The control surfaces distinguished in airplanes of normal configuration are the elevators, rudder, and ailerons (bank control surfaces). In tailless airplanes, the elevators are replaced by elevons situated on the trailing edge of the wing. On swing-wing aircraft, the ailerons are replaced by differential control of the stabilizer. In contrast to a gas vane, an aerodynamic control surface is designed to control flight maneuvers in the air, at speeds of hundreds of km per hr. In aircraft with high-lift wings, the action of aerodynamic control surfaces reduces to the control of the aerodynamic moment.