FLIGHT CONTROL

Facilitated by : Agus Suyudi

FLIGHT CONTROL
Primary Flight Control
Provide longitudinal, directional and lateral control
of the aircraft
Used for moving the aircraft about its three axis
( Longitudinal, Vertical and Lateral axis )
Secondary / Auxiliary Flight Control
Provide additional lift during take off and landing
Decrease aircraft speed during flight
Reduce Landing speed
Assisting primary flight control
FLIGHT CONTROL
FLIGHT CONTROL

Rudder
Aileron Elevator

Spoiler

SMALL AIRCRAFT
FLIGHT CONTROL DC-9
Elevator
Gear tab
Horizontal stabilizer
Control tab

Aileron
Rudder
Trim tab
Control tab Control tab

Spoiler
Flap

Slat
DC - 9
FLIGHT CONTROL
Outer speed brakes
Inner speed brakes
Roll Spoilers

Rudder
Kruger flap Flap

Slat
All speed aileron

Elevator
Low speed aileron
Trimmable horizontal stabilizer

WIDE BODY AIRCRAFT

 FLIGHT CONTROL LAY OUT B.737
Rudder

Aileron Elevator tab

Elevator
Aileron balance tab
Ground spoilers
Flight spoiler
Outb. Flap Stabilizer

Ground Inboard Flap

Spoiler
Slats Ground spoilers
Flight spoiler
Ground spoilers

Leading edge flap / Kruger flap

 FLIGHT DECK CONTROL B.737

F/C Switches Fwd overhead panel

Aileron control
wheels

Stabilizer trim
control switch Stabilizer trim
control switch

Speed brake Flap control lever

control lever

Stabilizer trim
Rudder pedals control wheel
PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL

Rudder

Vertical axis Longitudinal axis

Elevator

Aileron

Lateral axis
 PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL
AILERON
 Roll control
 Hinged on rear wing spar in the each wing
trailing edge on each outboard wing section
operated by stick / yoke or control wheel /
control column
 Interconnected between left and right ailerons
 Operate simultaneously in opposite direction
 Friese aileron  Up and Down movement
have the same deflection angle
 Differential aileron  have different
deflection angle
 PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL
RUDDER
 Yaw control
 Hinged on the vertical stabilizer / fin rear spar
 Operated by foot pedals / Rudder pedals
ELEVATOR
 Pitch control
 Hinged on the left and right horizontal stabilizer
rear spar
 Operated by stick / yoke or control wheel /
control column
 Interconnected between left and right elevators
 Operate simultaneously in same direction
 OPERATING METHODS

 Direct cable system

 Aerodynamically boosted cable system
 Hydraulically boosted cable system
 Hydraulically operated system ( transmission via steel
cable )
 Hydraulically operated system ( transmission via
electric wire )
 Hydraulically operated system ( transmission via
computer and electric wire )
 Hydraulically operated system ( transmission via
computer and fibre optic )
 CONTROL SYSTEM
Three type of control systems commonly used
 The cable
 Push pull rod
 Torque tube
Cable assembly
Consist of : flexible cable, terminal end ( ball end,
eye end, fork end ), and turn buckle
Turnbuckle
- Used to adjust cable tension
- Provided with left hand threads on one side, and
right hand thread on another side
AILERON CONTROL

Longitudinal axis

Up Roll direction

Down
AILERONDIFFERENTIAL CONTROL

Down
ADVERSE JAW AND ADVERSE ROLL

Adverse jaw Required jawing moment

High drag
Side force

Adverse roll
Low drag
RUDDER CONTROL
Airplane movement Rudder movement

Pedal movement

Relative wind

Vertical axis
ELEVATOR CONTROL

Bellcrank Up

Pivot Pivot Neutral

Down
 RUDDERVATOR
Stabilizers

Elevators Direction of jaw

Direction of pitch
Lateral axis

Functioning as an elevator Functioning as a Rudder

RUDDERVATOR

BEECHCRAFT BONANZA
 PUSH PULL ROD

Rudder pedals

Clevis rod end fitting

Rivets

Torque tube
Rod ( steel or aluminum
tube )

Threaded rod end

Check nut / lock nut
Rod end bearing
 AERODYNAMICALLY CONTROLED
AILERON

Control Tab
Aileron

Aileron dumper

Output to Spoilers

Aileron position sensor

Torque tube Autopilot servo

TAB BACK UP
MECHANICAL FOLLOW UP CONTROL

Servo valve centered position

Input from control column to servo valve

Actuator moves as long as the servo valve
input not centered

R P

Actuator stays in position as long the servo

valve in centered position
 SECONDARY FLIGHT CONTROL
FLAP
 To give aircraft extra lift
 Reduced landing speed  shortening landing rollout
 Reduced the length of the take off run
Types of Flap
 Plain Flap
 Split Flap
 Fowler Flap
 Slotted Flap
 Leading edge Flap
 Kruger Flap
 Leading edge Flap and Kruger Flap are used in conjunction
with Trailing edge Flap
TYPES OF FLAP

Split flap Plain flap

Fowler Flap Slotted Flap

FLAP

PLAIN FLAP

FOWLER FLAP
 MAXIMUM SPEEDS FOR FLAP/
SLAT EXTENDED

Example for max. allowed speeds

 Slat 15 / Flap 0  IAS Max. 245 knots

 Slat 15 / Flap 15  IAS Max. 245 knots

 Slat 20 / Flap 20  IAS Max. 245 knots

 Slat 30 / Flap 40  IAS Max. 245 knots

 FLAP SYSTEM LAYOUT
SCFC = Slats Flaps Control Computer
FWC = Flight Warning Computer Control handle Indicator

SFCC FWC

Drive torque tube Control valve

Asymmetry
position pick up
Power Control Unit

Hydraulic motor
Inboard Flap
Torque limiter
Screw jack
Inboard Flap
 FLAP OPERATING METHODS

 Operated with Flap Control handle

 Different speed different flap position setting
 Hydraulic operated system using hydraulic
actuator
 Hydraulic operated system using Hydraulic
motor, Drive shaft and Screw jack
 Electrical operated system using Electric motor,
Drive shaft and Screw jack
 Pneumatic operated system using Pneumatic
motor, Drive shaft and Screw jack
FLAP
 FLAP OPERATED USING
HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR
Wing rear spar Spoiler

Flap retracted

Hydraulic actuator Flap

Flap extended
FLAP TRACK, SCREW JACK OPERATED

Flap beam

Carriage FLAP

Straight track

Mechanical actuator

Drive shaft
SLAT
LEADING EDGE FLAP / KRUEGER FLAP
 Used for lift augmentation together with Flap
 Attached on each Wing Leading edge
 Operated with Slat control handle or Flap control
handle ( one Control handle for Flap and Slat )
 Hydraulic operated system using Hydraulic
actuator
 Hydro-mechanical operated system using
Hydraulic actuator and cable system
 Hydro-mechanical operated system using
Hydraulic motor, Drive shaft Screw jack
 Pneumatic–mechanical operated system using
Pneumatic motor, Drive shaft and Screw jack
LEADING EDGE FLAP
 SLAT
 Used for lift augmentation together with Flap
 Attached on each Wing Leading edge
 Operated with Slat control handle or Flap control
handle ( one Control handle for Flap and Slat )
 Hydraulic operated system using Hydraulic
actuator
 Hydro-mechanical operated system using
Hydraulic actuator and cable system
 Hydro-mechanical operated system using
Hydraulic motor, Drive shaft Screw jack
 Pneumatic–mechanical operated system using
Pneumatic motor, Drive shaft and Screw jack
SLAT
SLAT
SLAT
SLAT
SLAT
SLAT
 SPOILER

 Operate in conjunction with aileron

( Flight Spoiler )
 Extend symmetrically as Speed brake
( Secondary function )
 Located on the left and right wing
upper surfaces
SPOILERS

RH Spoilers

LH Spoilers
SURFACE CONFIGURATION

Aileron UP

Aileron DOWN

ROLL SPOILER FOR AILERON ASSISTANCE

SURFACE CONFIGURATION

PARTIALLY EXTENDED AS SPEED BRAKE

GROUND SPOILER

FOR TAKE OFF ABORT AND LANDING ROLL OUT

SURFACE CONFIGURATION

FULLY EXTENDED PARTIALLY EXTENDED RETRACTED

SPOILER
 SPEED BRAKE

 Sometimes called Dive flap or Dive brake

 Used to slow aircraft in flight, during
descending or landing approach by create
turbulence and drag
 Located on the left and right fuselage or
above or below wing surfaces or tail
section
SPEED BRAKE AND SPOILER
Inner Speed brakes

Outer Speed brakes

LIFT DUMPER AND SPEED BRAKE

Lift dumper Speed brake

SPEED BRAKE

Speed brake

Speed brake
 TABS

 Attached on trailing edge primary control

surface
 Used to aid the pilot easier movement or
better balance of the control surface
 TABS

Elevator trim tab

Rudder Aileron trim tab

trim tab
 TRIM TABS <roll and yaw>

 To correct any tendency of the aircraft to move

toward an undesirable flight attitude
 Control the balance of the aircraft, it maintains
straight and level flight, without pressure on
the control column or rudder pedal
 Used mechanical control or electrical actuator
or adjusted on the ground before take off.
 Opposite direction with deflection of the flight
control surfaces
 SERVO TABS

 As flight tab
 Used on the large control surfaces
 Opposite direction with deflection of the
flight control surface
 Aid to moving the main control surface
TRIM AND SERVO TABS
 AERODYNAMICALLY CONTROLED
AILERON

Control Tab
Aileron

Aileron dumper

Output to Spoilers

Aileron position sensor

Torque tube Autopilot servo

 BALANCE AND SPRING TABS
Balance Tab
 Opposite direction with deflection of the
flight control surface
 Aid to moving the main control surface

Spring Tab
 Opposite direction with deflection of the
flight control surface
 Aid to moving the main control surface
BALANCE AND SPRING TABS
HORIZONTAL STABILIZER / FIN

 Provide longitudinal trim of the airplane

 Mechanically / Electrically / Hydraulically
operated
 Mounted on the Mid or Top of the
Vertical fin or Tail section
 Control from the cockpit by Control
wheel switch, Control wheel, or Switch
HORIZONTAL STABILIZER / FIN
Alternate
motor Primary
motor

Follow up
cable

Longitudinal trim actuator

 ELECTRICAL TRIM ACTUATOR

Primary trim motor

Alternate trim motor

THS

Mechanical feedback
for position indication

Structure
HYDRAULICALLY TRIM MOTOR

Hydraulic motor

Pivot point
Mechanical input shaft

Pressure OFF brake Rig pin

Blocking valves Screw jack

Ballnut
FLAP
 HIGH LIFT DEVICES

 Used in combination with airfoils to reduce the take

off and landing speed by changing the lift
characteristic of an airfoil
 Two High lift devices commonly used on the aircraft
are Slot and Flap
 On heavier aircraft used Slat, Slot, Leading edge Flap
and Trailing edge Flap
High Lift Devices

Slot
Flap
 JAW DUMPER
 General
Many of the hight speed aircraft with sweept-back
wings have the undesirable problem of Dutch Roll,
it can be very uncomfortable to the passengers
 The Jaw Dumper used to counteract the dutch roll
( Jawing-Rolling oscilation )
 Operated independently either aircraft flown
automatically or manually
DUTCH ROLL MOVEMENT

Flight patch
 STALL STRIPS

 Use to produce small vortex which reaches

the horizontal stabilizer
 Installed on smaller aircraft at the wings
leading edge, where no slats are installed
 If the angle of attack reaches an extreme
angle, the pilot can feel the vibration
caused by the vortex via the elevator
vibration
STALL STRIP

Length of strip 3 - 30 cm
STALL STRIP
 FLIGHT CONTROL RIGGING

 The flight control surfaces must be adjusted /

rigged to obtain synchronized movement with the
movement of the cockpit controls
 Rigging equipment consist of :
- Cable rigging tension charts
- Tensiometers
- Protractors
- Rigging fixtures ( Rig pins, clamps )
- Contour templates
- Rules
 FLIGHT CONTROL RIGGING

General procedure the flight control rigging

consist of the following :
1. Positioning the flight control system in the neutral
position and temporary locking with rig pins or blocks
2. Adjusting surfaces travel, system cable tension,
linkages, and adjustable stops

The flight control rigging always follow the

procedures and methods specified by the
Aircraft Manufacturer
CABLE RIGGING CHART
Value included 10% structural deflection Design limit rig load Lbs

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit

CABLE TENSIOMETER
UNIVERSAL PROPELLER PROTRACTOR
FLIGHT CONTROL CABLES RIGGING
FLAP
 STRUCTURAL ALIGNMENT CHECK
 Used to ensure that the components are not distorted
and that the angles are within the specified limits
 Should be checked after hard landing or after
experiencing abnormal flight loads such as flight with
heavy turbulence
 Alignment check usually include :
- Wing dihedral angle and incidence angle
- Engine alignment
- Horizontal stabilizer incidence and dihedral
- Verticality of the fin
- A symmetry check
 STRUCTURAL ALIGNMENT CHECK

Precautions must be observed

 Aircraft should be leveled
 Ensure that the maximum jacking weight is not
exceeded
 Should be checked in the hangar not be undertaken
in the open. If this cannot be avoided, the aircraft
should be positioned with the nose into the wind
CHECKING DIHEDRAL ANGLE

Special dihedral board with Straight edge and adjustable level

spirit level incorporated
CHECKING ANGLE OF INCIDENCE

Bubble level

Straight edge and adjustable level

Stop Incidence board

Chord line
CHECKING FIN VERTICALITY
SYMMETRY CHECK

SMALL AIRCRAFT
Usually using a steel tape

LARGE AIRCRAFT
Using plumb bob, marking
chalk on the floor and
measuring tape
 FLIGHT CONTROL BALANCING

Static balance
 Is the tendency of an object to remain stationary
when supported from its own center of gravity
 Accomplished by adding weight to the forward
section of the hinge line until it weight the same
as the aft section
 Continue

Aerodynamic balance
 Achieved by extending a portion of the
control surface ahead of the hinge line
 Various method hinge installation :
Overhang, Handley- Page, and Friese
 Unbalance surface has tendency to flutter
as air passes on it
 After repaired Flight control surface  Do
static balancing
FORM AERODYNAMIC BALANCE

Overhang

Handley Page

Friese
 Balancing methods

 Calculation method
 Scale method
 Trial weight method  Trial and error
 Component method

 Balancing required removing flight control

surface from the aircraft  Scale method

Balancing not required removing flight control

surface from the aircraft  Calculation method
Static balance
A B C
Chord line Chord line

Chord line

A. Tail down under balance ( Plus condition )

B. Nose down over balance ( Minus condition )
C. Level horizontal position ( Balanced condition )
Calculation method
Scale method
Bubble protractor Hinge center line
Trim tab Rudder

Adjustable support

Support stand
Bracket
Weight scale
Trial weight method