Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Adverse yaw is a side effect of aileron use, countered by rudder input. In recent times, composite materials have been introduced for flight controls even in small general aviation aircraft. Fly-by-wire is expensive, so you wont find it on most small general aviation aircraft. This is where the rudder comes in.

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 23, 2024

PARE: Power idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder opposite, Elevator forward. An aft center of gravity increases flat spin risk. A flat spin happens when the center of gravity shifts too far aft (toward the tail), and the aircraft’s rotation becomes more horizontal. Rudder: Full opposite input to the spin direction.

Center of Gravity 98

Center of Gravity Weight-Shift-Control Aileron Rudder 98

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

High camber generally promotes more airflow deflection, thanks to something called Bernoullis Principle. This is why the typical airfoil shape has a curved top and a flat bottom, especially in slower-speed general aviation aircraft. This generates a downward force on the tail ( reaction ). It provides yaw control.

Lift 52

Lift Thrust Torque Aileron 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Placing the center of gravity ahead of the aircraft’s center of lift improves longitudinal stability. Doing so provides more lateral stability since the aircraft’s Center of Gravity (CG) lies below the wings. Most commercial and general aviation aircraft are designed to be dynamically stable.

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

An elegantly simple rope system inside the fuselage raises and lowers the Gweduck’s water rudder mounted inside the base of the main rudder (right). The only unconventional thing I noticed (as did the folks in back) was the rudder has a dead spot mid-travel. I think I’d have figured out the trick in another couple hours.

Airplanes 79

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 79