Which autopilot component is directly involved in moving the aircraft's control surfaces by applying torque?

Which autopilot component is directly involved in moving the aircraft's control surfaces by applying torque?

• A. Gyroscope
• B. Elevator
• C. Servo
• D. Rudder

Answer: (C)

In an autopilot system, moving the aircraft’s surfaces is done by an actuator that converts a control signal into rotational force. That device is the servo. The servo receives commands from the autopilot computer and uses a motor (electric or hydraulic) to apply torque through the control linkages to deflect the surface, such as the elevator, rudder, or ailerons. The gyroscope provides the motion and orientation data the autopilot uses to determine how to correct flight, but it does not move the surfaces itself. The elevator and rudder are the surfaces being moved, not the mechanism that moves them. So the servo is the component directly responsible for applying the torque to move the surfaces.

In an autopilot system, moving the aircraft’s surfaces is done by an actuator that converts a control signal into rotational force. That device is the servo. The servo receives commands from the autopilot computer and uses a motor (electric or hydraulic) to apply torque through the control linkages to deflect the surface, such as the elevator, rudder, or ailerons. The gyroscope provides the motion and orientation data the autopilot uses to determine how to correct flight, but it does not move the surfaces itself. The elevator and rudder are the surfaces being moved, not the mechanism that moves them. So the servo is the component directly responsible for applying the torque to move the surfaces.