Control Surface of airplane

Control Surface of airplane

              Control surface of Aircraft is an aerodynamic device mean by which pilot stabilize aircraft and controls the direction and altitude of an aircraft on flight. Control surface is a movable surface which is lighter in construction has light  spar rod at the front edges to provide strength and rigidity, the spar connect the ribs and covered by the thin skinned sheet. The tabs are attached to the trailing edge of the control surface additional device will be attached based of purpose the control surface is used for transmission of tab loads to the surface.

Sheet Materials used in Control Surface

1. Metal structure                   -        Covered with metal skin
2. Composite Structure          -        Covered with fabric
3. Wooden Structure              -        Covered with Plywood or fabric

Drilling

The hole on the surface made using drain holes to prevent water  trapped inside the structure , which causes the control surface to be thrown out of balance

Jointing

Process involved in jointing the components includes fasteners like adhesive and bonding agents.

Flight Control Surface are sub branched into

• Primary Control Surface
• Secondary Control Surface

Primary Control Surface is designed to provide adequate response to controlling device giving a natural feel.

At low speed control will be smooth and sluggish

At high speed control will become increasingly firm

Responding to speed

At low speed the aircraft respond slow to control applied

At high speed the aircraft respond more rapid (faster) to control applied

Primary Control Surface includes:

Ailerons - (ROLL) Control motion along longitudinal axis.

Elevator - (PITCH) Control rotational motion along lateral axis.

Rudder  - (YAW) Control motion along Vertical axis.

Secondary Control Surface are use to improve the aircraft performance characteristics and to release the excessive control loads applied.

Secondary Control Surface includes:

Wing flaps - Used to increase the Lift and Drag increase while Take off.

Slats - Located on the leading edge of the wings. Creates enough lift at high Angle of attack.

Slots - Span wise gap present at each wing allowing air to flow between the wings, which creates lift thus reduces stall.

Trim tabs - Connect trailing edge to large Control Surface, Used to Stabilize the aircraft.

Balance tabs - Control loads on the control surface is significantly reduced, makes aircraft easy to fly.

Anti-Balance tabs - Maintain the stability in the desire position.

Servo tabs - Small Hinged device to assist the movement of the control surface.

The Combination of this Control Surface of Aircraft helps the pilot in controlling and stressing the aircraft during flight .

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