The Axes of Flight

Aircraft rotate around three axes: the longitudinal axis, the vertical axis, and the lateral axis. In an airplane, movement about each axis is controlled by one of the three primary control surfaces.Ailerons, Rudder, and Elevator.

Pilots use ailerons to bank or roll about the longitudinal axis. Rudder controls yaw about the vertical axis, and the elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis. The three axes intersect at the center of gravity.

Smooth, coordinated use of controls separates pilots from airplane drivers. Good pilots use all the flight controls together to produce coordinated motion about the three axes.

To review the axes of an airplane go to the Nasa Lewis Research Center and complete the worksheet by answering the questions on a SEPERATE SHEET OF PAPER - call this assignment Airplane Parts Worksheet.

Review the video if necessary: