Which control surface on the wing creates rolling moments?

Which control surface on the wing creates rolling moments?

• A. Elevators
• B. Ailerons
• C. Rudder
• D. Flaps

Answer: (B)

Rolling motion is produced by changing lift differently on each wing, which the ailerons accomplish. When one aileron deflects up and the opposite one deflects down, the wing with the up deflection experiences reduced lift while the other wing gains more lift. That lift difference creates a rotation about the aircraft’s longitudinal axis, tipping the wings and rolling the aircraft. Ailerons are located on the trailing edge near the wingtips and are the primary surface used to roll. Elevators control pitch by tilting the nose up or down, changing the angle of attack of the horizontal stabilizer. The rudder steers yaw, rotating the nose left or right about the vertical axis. Flaps increase lift and drag for takeoff and landing and aren’t used to produce roll, though they can influence handling indirectly if used asymmetrically.

Rolling motion is produced by changing lift differently on each wing, which the ailerons accomplish. When one aileron deflects up and the opposite one deflects down, the wing with the up deflection experiences reduced lift while the other wing gains more lift. That lift difference creates a rotation about the aircraft’s longitudinal axis, tipping the wings and rolling the aircraft. Ailerons are located on the trailing edge near the wingtips and are the primary surface used to roll.

Elevators control pitch by tilting the nose up or down, changing the angle of attack of the horizontal stabilizer. The rudder steers yaw, rotating the nose left or right about the vertical axis. Flaps increase lift and drag for takeoff and landing and aren’t used to produce roll, though they can influence handling indirectly if used asymmetrically.