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Basic Parts & Functions + Roll, Pitch & Yaw

  • Aileron: moving parts attached to the rear edge of an aircraft's wing that helps the aircraft bank/turn [roll]
  • Elevator: moving parts on the horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft that move up or down to make the aircraft climb or descend [pitch]
  • Elevator Trim Tab: a small tab that helps to reduce pilot fatigue.  It is a small flap that, when air passes over it in flight, it deflects the elevator to the proper position so the pilot does not have to manually hold it there.
  • Engine: the part of an aircraft that provides power to move the aircraft through the air
  • Flaps: found on the wing closer to the fuselage than the ailerons.  They can be lowered to provide more lift at slower speeds so an airplane can take off and land.
  • Flashing Beacon: flashing light on an aircraft that helps pilots avoid mid-air collisions
  • Fuel Tank: the tank that holds fuel for the engine
  • Fuselage: main structural part that connects all other parts together
  • Horizontal Stabilizer: airfoils located on the tail of an aircraft that help maintain a straight, horizontal path through the air
  • Landing Gear: the wheels on an airplane so it can land and taxi
  • Navigation Light: lights that show an aircraft's location for other pilots.  The lights are coded to show an aircraft's left (red light) and right (green light) sides.
  • Propeller: two or more twisted blades that pull an airplane forward as they turn.  Blades have the same shape as wings.
  • Radio Antenna: allows pilots to keep in radio contact with ground control
  • Rudder: moving parts on the vertical stabilizer that turn (yaw) the aircraft left or right [yaw]
  • Vertical Stabilizer: airfoils located on the tail of an aircraft that help maintain a straight, vertical path through the air