By Ethan A. Hoover

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How does an airplane steer?

Picture courtesy of learn.parallax.com

Three main components affect how an airplane is able to maneuver in the air, combined, the three components benefit different situations and are effective when used together.

Rudder

The rudder is a vertical flap found at the back of the airplane oriented vertically between both rear elevators and is attached to the vertical stabilizer. The rudder allows the airplane to direct air flow moving the opposite direction of the aircraft to turn the airplane left or right. To turn left the rudder is turned left, to turn right the rudder is turned right, based off of how aggressive the rudder is turned the harder it will turn. Though this method of turning is viable, passenger airplanes often utilize the ailerons to turn bu using the change in lift garnered from angling them to direct the lift of the airplane at an angle instead of straight up.

Ailerons

Ailerons are found at the running the main length of the wing at its back on both wings. The flaps allow the pilot to create more lift or drag depending on the needs of the pilot. Angling one aileron up and the other one down allows the pilot to bank left or right depending on which one is up or down, and it's this banking of the plane that can be used to ease the feeling of turning on the passengers and make the ride feel more enjoyable.

Elevator

The elevators are placed horizontally on either side of the ruder and are attached to the horizontal stabilizers. The elevators are used to direct the nose of the airplane up or down depending on if the pilot intends to ascend or descend. Angling the aircraft becomes much easier with the elevators being properly utilized.