Primary control for changing the pitch attitude of an airplane.

• A. Elevator
• B. Aileron
• C. Rudder
• D. Trim

Answer: (A)

Pitch attitude is changed by the elevator, the movable surface on the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer. When you command nose-up or nose-down, the elevator deflects to create a pitching moment about the aircraft’s center of gravity, raising or lowering the nose accordingly. Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis, not pitch. The rudder controls yaw about the vertical axis. Trim is used to hold a steady attitude with less control force, not to initiate a change in pitch, though it can help maintain a chosen pitch once established.