Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

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Prepare to excel in your Certified Flight Instructor exam with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Master the knowledge you need for success and achieve your certification with confidence!

Practice this question and more.

The action of the elevators primarily moves the plane around which axis?

Lateral axis.
Longitudinal axis.
Vertical axis.
Dihedral axis.

The correct answer is: Lateral axis.

The question pertains to the principle of how elevators affect the flight characteristics of an aircraft. Elevators are the control surfaces located on the tail of the airplane, specifically on the horizontal stabilizer. Their primary function is to control the pitch of the aircraft, which means they dictate the angle of the nose of the plane relative to the direction of flight. When the elevators are deflected up or down, they change the airflow over the tail, causing a change in lift at that part of the aircraft. This change in lift produces a moment around the lateral axis, which extends from wingtip to wingtip, effectively allowing the aircraft to ascend or descend. Therefore, the action of the elevators is directly associated with movement around the lateral axis, which is crucial for maintaining proper attitude in flight. Understanding the role of the elevators in controlling pitch around the lateral axis is fundamental for pilots, particularly in managing the aircraft's ascent and descent during different phases of flight.