3 Basic Control

3.1 Aeroplane Axes and Planes of Rotation

The three axes of an aeroplane intersect at the centre of gravity (CG) and are those about which an
aeroplane moves in flight. They are the longitudinal, the lateral and the normal axes and are shown in
Figure 3.1. If the forces about any axis are not balanced (i.e. the total moments about the axis is not zero)
there will be an angular acceleration and the aeroplane will rotate about that axis.

3.1.1 The Longitudinal or Roll Axis

The horizontal straight line joining the most forward point of the fuselage of the aeroplane, the centre of
the nose, to the centre of the most rearward point of the aeroplane’s fuselage is the longitudinal axis. It
is often referred to as the roll axis because the aeroplane, in response to a control input by the pilot or as
the result of an external disturbance, drops one wing and raises the other. Thus, it rotates or rolls about
the longitudinal axis.

3.1.2 The Lateral or Pitch Axis

The lateral axis is a horizontal straight line passing from one side of the aeroplane to the other, through
the CG, at right angles to the longitudinal axis. It is the axis about which the aeroplane moves, in response
to a control input by the pilot or as the result of an external disturbance, by raising or lowering the nose
of the aeroplane. Thus, it pitches or rotates about the lateral axis. See Figure 3.1.

3.1.3 The Normal or Yaw Axis

The normal axis of an aeroplane is the vertical straight line passing through the CG. It is perpendicular
to the other two axes and is the axis about which the aeroplane in response to a control input by the pilot
or as the result of an external disturbance moves its nose horizontally or yaws.

3.2 The Flight Controls

The flight controls enable the pilot to rotate the aeroplane about its three axes. The ailerons cause the
aeroplane to roll about its longitudinal axis, the elevators enable the aeroplane to pitch around its lateral

The Principles of Flight for Pilots P. J. Swatton

C 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd