What is the purpose of flight controls?

• A. Stability only
• B. Controllability, directional control
• C. Increasing speed
• D. Color coordination

Answer: (B)

Flight controls exist to let the pilot steer and maneuver the aircraft by changing its attitude and flight path. The control surfaces—ailerons for roll, elevator for pitch, and rudder for yaw—translate pilot input into movements about the three axes, giving you controllability and directional control to guide the airplane where you want to go. Stability is a passive tendency of the aircraft’s design, but without the controls you wouldn’t be able to actively steer or follow a chosen course. Increasing speed isn’t the purpose of the flight controls, though attitude changes can influence speed; color coordination is irrelevant.