Theres little else quite as ingrained in the minds of pilots, or emblematic of flight itself, as the stick and rudder. It seems axiomatic that losing the ability to control an airplanes roll, pitch or yaw would set you up for a quick toboggan ride downhill, followed by a very loud noise. Does the thought of helplessly watching your airplane wrenching itself into an unusual attitude and then plunging into a schoolyard turn up those horror movie violins? Well, even your best preflight might not immunize you from having a control surface failure, but knowing what to do and taking prompt action could prevent one from ruining your day. 288
Control Freak
Theres little else quite as ingrained in the minds of pilots, or emblematic of flight itself, as the stick and rudder. It seems axiomatic that losing the ability to control an airplanes roll, pitch or yaw would set you up for a quick toboggan ride downhill, followed by a very loud noise.
Key Takeaways:
- Control surface failures, particularly elevator issues, are critical in-flight emergencies requiring prompt action, including prioritizing flying the aircraft using available controls (especially trim), heading for the longest possible runway, and immediately declaring an emergency.
- For elevator failures, pilots must differentiate between a disconnected (free-floating) elevator where trim acts normally, and a jammed elevator where trim control is reversed; in both cases, avoid using flaps during landing, managing pitch instead with small power changes and trim.
- Prevention and preparedness are paramount, involving meticulous preflight inspections of all control components, thorough understanding of the aircraft's control systems via its POH/AFM, and practicing emergency procedures mentally.
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