Which axis does the elevator channel control?

Which axis does the elevator channel control?

• A. Roll
• B. Pitch
• C. Yaw
• D. Thrust

Answer: (B)

Elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis (line running wingtip to wingtip). The elevator is on the horizontal stabilizer and tilts the nose up or down, changing the aircraft’s angle of attack and causing climb or descent. This is different from roll, which is about the longitudinal axis (nose to tail) controlled by the ailerons, and yaw, about the vertical axis controlled by the rudder. Thrust isn’t an axis of rotation, so the elevator’s effect is specifically on pitch.

Elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis (line running wingtip to wingtip). The elevator is on the horizontal stabilizer and tilts the nose up or down, changing the aircraft’s angle of attack and causing climb or descent. This is different from roll, which is about the longitudinal axis (nose to tail) controlled by the ailerons, and yaw, about the vertical axis controlled by the rudder. Thrust isn’t an axis of rotation, so the elevator’s effect is specifically on pitch.