Airplane Components & Flight Controls

Meet the Airplane

Before we can understand why an airplane flies, we need to understand the airplane itself.

In this lesson, you'll become familiar with the major components of a typical training airplane and learn how the flight controls allow the pilot to control the aircraft around its three axes of rotation.

As you work through this lesson, don't focus only on memorizing names. Pay attention to what each component does, how the controls affect the airplane, and why those relationships matter in flight.

By the End of This Lesson, You Should Be Able To:

• Identify the major structural components of an airplane

• Describe the purpose of the fuselage, wings, empennage, landing gear, and powerplant

• Identify the primary and secondary flight controls

• Explain how the ailerons, elevator, and rudder affect aircraft movement

• Identify the three axes of rotation: longitudinal, lateral, and vertical

• Connect pitch, roll, and yaw with the appropriate flight control and axis