Primary and Secondary Flight Control

Primary and Secondary Flight Control

Aircraft flight control is simply how the pilot controls an aircraft’s direction and attitude in flight. But the control system of a flight is subdivided into what is called primary and secondary flight controls. The based-on description has different roles where the primary flight control is most of the time required to safely control an aircraft during flight and consists of elevators, rudder, and ailerons (Sadraey, 2020). The three are the primary control surfaces that are significant for flight control. On the other hand, secondary flight controls are always meant to improve aircraft performance or relieve excessive control loading. These controls consist of high lift devices such as flaps and slats, trim systems, and flight spoilers.

Based on the description of primary and secondary flight control, the two play essential functions in stabilizing the aircraft during flight. Both flight control systems regulate the inputs required to move the control surface, which gives the pilot control of the aircraft. It is clear that in order for the pilot to manipulate the aircraft, he needs a set of flight controls. Looking at primary flight controls, it is clear that it utilizes a hinged, trailing edge surface that includes ailerons for roll, a rudder for yaw, and elevators for pitch. The primary flight controls have inherent functions that help to stabilize the aircraft during flight. For instance, any movement of primary flight controls makes the aircraft rotate around axis of rotation associated with the control surface (Aeronautics Guide, n.d). The three-trailing edge of the main control system of the flight plays a vital role in stabilizing aircraft during flight. Like ailerons are control surfaces attached to the wings’ trailing edge, whose function is to help the pilot control motion around the longitudinal axis, thus allowing the aircraft to bank or roll. These control surfaces always extend from about the midpoint of each wing toward the tip and move in different directions to create an aerodynamics force that causes the aircraft to roll. For example, in high-performance aircraft like Extra 300, some ailerons have spades that enhance aileron controllability (Flight Literacy, 2020). Also, primary flight control has an elevator that controls rotation around the lateral axis and a rudder that controls movement around the yaw. Looking at the function of the three primary flight control, it is clear that they provide an aerodynamic force that makes aircraft follow the desired flight path. The movement of the three changes the airflow and pressure distribution over and around the airfoil, thus it helping to stabilize the aircraft during flight. More importantly, the primary flight control surface plays a vital role because it provides the aircraft with directional control, thus ensuring that the aircraft is moving in the desired direction.

On the other hand, secondary control surfaces include flaps, air brakes, slats, and spoilers, which play a vital role in stabilizing aircraft during the flight. It is fundamental that, like primary flight controls, the secondary ones are also intended to improve aircraft performance and relieve excessive control loading. All the high lift devices of the secondary flight controls play a vital role in the functioning of the aircraft. For instance, spoilers, also known as lift dumpers, are employed to decrease lift by causing turbulence in the airflow above the wing. This device is essential because, to some extent, they allow glider pilots to reduce the altitude of the aircraft without increasing airspeed (Sairamsalim, 2019). In addition, flaps are another significant device found on the trailing edge of each wing near wing roots, and their function is to increase the effective curvature of the wing. This is why pilots use flaps in most instances, commonly during take-off and landings. Additionally, secondary flight controls have slats, typically employed to slow down an aircraft by changing the airflow over the wing. Therefore, it is clear that secondary flight controls play a vital role in ensuring that the aircraft has stability because parts such as air brakers are used to increase drag and slow down the aircraft. When looking at the function of different control surface devices, all pilots need to understand their uses and their effects on bringing stability to the aircraft (flight controls. n.d). More importantly, from the analysis of secondary flight controls, it is clear that in order for the pilots to stabilize aircraft during flight, it is essential to understand the uses of secondary flight control surfaces. This would help them become more efficient and safer pilots, without a doubt.

To conclude, it is fundamental that flight control surfaces play a vital role in allowing the pilot to adjust and control the aircraft effectively. From the analysis of both primary and secondary flight control, it is clear that their devices are used to assist the pilot in knowing what to do in order to maintain and return the aircraft to its original flight (SKYbrary, 2021). As they help the pilot during the flight of aircraft to know how to maintain uniform flight conditions and minimize workload. Thus, to maintain uniform flight paths and recover from the various upsetting forces, the pilot must have the idea of both flight control surfaces as that helps to reduce incidents of accidents among the aircraft.

References

Aeronautics Guide, A. G. (n.d.). Primary flight control surfaces and dual-purpose flight control surfaces of a fixed-wing aircraft. Aircraft Systems. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://www.aircraftsystemstech.com

flight controls, flight controls. (n.d.). Operation of Aircraft Systems. Flight Control System. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://www.cfinotebook.net/notebook/operation-of-aircraft-systems/flight-controls

Flight Literacy, F. L. (2020, April 7). Flight Control Systems – primary flight controls (part One). Flight Literacy. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://www.flightliteracy.com

Sadraey, M. (2020). Automatic Flight Control Systems. Synthesis Lectures on Mechanical Engineering, 4(1), 1-173.

Sairamsalim, Y. (2019). Secondary flight control surfaces and engine types. Accelerated Flight Training. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://14daypilot.com/aviator-blog/read/secondary-flight-control-surfaces-and-engine

SKYbrary, S. K. Y. (2021, January 8). Flight controls. SKYbrary Aviation Safety. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://skybrary.aero/articles/flight-controls