The same lesson in words
An airplane rotates about three axes, all passing through its center of gravity. Each primary flight control produces rotation about one axis.
| Pilot input | Surface movement | Axis | Rotation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoke right | Right aileron up, left aileron down | Longitudinal (nose to tail) | Roll right |
| Yoke left | Left aileron up, right aileron down | Longitudinal | Roll left |
| Yoke back | Elevator trailing edge up | Lateral (wingtip to wingtip) | Pitch up |
| Yoke forward | Elevator trailing edge down | Lateral | Pitch down |
| Right pedal | Rudder trailing edge right | Vertical (top to bottom) | Yaw right |
| Left pedal | Rudder trailing edge left | Vertical | Yaw left |
Why the surfaces work
A control surface changes the camber, and so the lift, of the part it's attached to. A lowered aileron increases lift on its wing; a raised one decreases it. The difference rolls the airplane. The lowered aileron also makes more induced drag, which yaws the nose away from the turn (adverse yaw). That's one reason pilots use rudder to coordinate turns.
What this demonstration leaves out
- Deflections are exaggerated for visibility. Real limits are in the type certificate data and the POH.
- The “airplane response” just turns control input into a steady rotation rate. Real airplanes have stability, adverse yaw, airspeed effects and coupling between axes, so a basic animation isn't a flight simulator.
- This is a generic high-wing trainer. Your airplane may use a stabilator, differential or Frise ailerons, trim tabs or other differences.
Sources: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (Chapter 6, Flight Controls) and the Airplane Flying Handbook.