Which of the following is a secondary flight control?

• A. Wing Flaps
• B. Rudder
• C. Elevator
• D. Aileron

Answer: (A)

Secondary flight controls change the aircraft’s performance or configuration rather than directly dictating its attitude at every moment. Wing flaps fit this role nicely: when extended, they increase the wing’s camber and lift at lower speeds, while also adding drag. This helps with slower approaches and shorter takeoffs, enabling safer operations near the ground. They’re used to modify how the airplane flies rather than to steer it in pitch, roll, or yaw.

By contrast, the rudder, elevator, and ailerons are primary flight controls. They directly command the aircraft’s orientation: yaw, pitch, and roll, respectively. That direct control of attitude is why they are considered primary, leaving wing flaps as the secondary example in this context.