Aeronautical Terms Defined
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The airplane empennage is
a crucial component of an aircraft, responsible for providing stability and control
during flight. It consists of several key elements, including the stabilizer, rudder,
elevators, and other control surfaces.
The word "empennage" comes from the French word "empenner," which means "to feather
an arrow." This term was later adopted to refer to the tail assembly of an aircraft
due to the similarity in shape and function between the feathers on an arrow and
the control surfaces on an aircraft's tail. The word "empennage" has since become
a standard term in aviation terminology, used to describe the tail assembly of an
aircraft and its various components.
Horizontal Stabilizer and Elevator
The stabilizer, also known as the horizontal stabilizer, is a flat, horizontal
surface that runs across the tail of the aircraft. It helps to provide longitudinal
stability, meaning it helps to prevent the aircraft from pitching up or down too
rapidly. The stabilizer is typically mounted parallel to the ground and is equipped
with a movable control surface called the elevator. The pilot can control the position
of the elevator to adjust the pitch of the aircraft and climb or descend.
The elevators are horizontal control surfaces that are attached to the trailing
edge of the stabilizer. They work in conjunction with the rudder to control the
aircraft's pitch and yaw. The elevators move up or down in response to the pilot's
control inputs, which cause the aircraft's nose to pitch up or down.
Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder
The rudder is a vertical control surface located at the rear of the aircraft,
hinged to the vertical stabilizer. It is used to control the yaw of the aircraft,
meaning it helps the pilot to steer the aircraft left or right. The rudder is typically
mounted perpendicular to the stabilizer and is actuated by the pilot using foot
pedals.
Other
In addition to the stabilizer, rudder, and elevators, some aircraft also feature
other control surfaces, such as trim tabs, that help the pilot to maintain control
of the aircraft more easily. The design and configuration of these control surfaces
can vary greatly between different types of aircraft, but their overall function
remains the same: to help the pilot maintain stability and control during flight.
Posted February 4, 2023
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