Three Axes of an Airplane

An aircraft can rotate around three axes which are perpendicular to each other and intersect at the plane’s center of gravity (CG). To control the position and direction a pilot must be able to control rotation about each of them.

Vertical axis. The vertical axis passes through the plane from top to bottom. Rotation about this axis is called yaw. Yaw changes the direction the aircraft’s nose to the left or right. By using the rudder the pilot can cause the airplane to yaw to either side.

Longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis passes through the plane from nose to tail. Rotation about this axis is called bank or roll. Bank changes the orientation of the aircraft’s wing with respect to the downward force of gravity. The pilot changes bank angle by increasing the lift on one wing and decreasing it on the other. This differential lift causes bank rotation around the longitudinal axis. The ailerons are the primary control of bank.

Lateral axis. The lateral axis passes through the plane from wingtip to wingtip. Rotation about this axis is called pitch. The nose and the tail surfaces of the airplane can move up and down around the lateral axis. The pilot can use the elevators to raise or lower the nose of the airplane.

UNIT 8

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
Read these definitions and remember them.	\|	Power Plant

Не знайшли потрібну інформацію? Скористайтесь пошуком google:

Генерація сторінки за: 0.003 сек.