Private Pilot Private Exam

Which of the following is not a primary flight control surface?

1. Flaps

2. Stabilator

3. Ailerons

4. Rudder

The correct answer is: Flaps

Primary flight control surfaces are essential components of an aircraft that directly affect its movement and stability in flight. The ailerons, rudder, and stabilator serve as the main controls for managing an aircraft's attitude and direction. The ailerons are responsible for controlling the roll of the aircraft around its longitudinal axis. They allow the pilot to bank the aircraft by adjusting the lift on each wing. The rudder is used to control the yaw of the aircraft, helping to keep the aircraft coordinated during turns and counteracting adverse yaw. The stabilator is a combined elevator and horizontal stabilizer, providing pitch control. It adjusts the angle of the tail section to change the aircraft's pitch attitude. In contrast, flaps are secondary control surfaces that change the airfoil shape to increase lift at lower speeds and allow for shorter takeoff and landing distances. While flaps play a significant role in the aircraft's performance during certain phases of flight, they do not serve as primary control surfaces for directional control like the ailerons, rudder, and stabilator do.