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Ask an Explainer

Q:

I need to learn a little bit more about pitch, yaw, roll, and the parts of an airplane. Can you help me?

A:

Pitch, yaw, and roll are the three ways to control an airplane. Elevators on the rear wing control pitch - the up and down motion. The rudder on the tail fin controls yaw - the side-to-side motion. Ailerons on the wings control roll - the tilting motion. Pilots must use all three to control the flight. Controlling a plane can be difficult!

Ask an Explainer
Posted on March 4, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Categories:
Flight Dynamics
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