Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

At first glance, ailerons look like ordinary hinged panels on the wings, but don’t be fooledthey’re important for keeping an aircraft both stable and maneuverable. But theres much more to ailerons than just rolling left or right. Or how do modern airplanes reduce dangerous effects like aileron flutter or adverse yaw?

Aileron

Pilot Institute

JULY 11, 2025

Why do jet pilots talk about speed in terms of Mach number? Jet aircraft often fly at speeds close to the speed of sound. For most aircraft with highly cambered wings or thick profiles, airflow accelerates over the top of the wing. Early jet pilots found this out while exploring high-speed jet flight. Here’s why.

True Airspeed

Pilot Institute

JUNE 4, 2025

Elevons and Control Surfaces An ingenious solution is to combine the elevator and aileron, which gives you: the elevon. They combine the functions of elevators and ailerons. Theyre typically installed on each side of the aircraft at the trailing edge of the wing, where the ailerons typically are. Why design an aircraft this way?

Tail

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

One is the upper wing surfaces curvature compared to the lower surface, called wing camber. High camber generally promotes more airflow deflection, thanks to something called Bernoullis Principle. However, its even possible to generate lift from a wing with symmetrical upper and lower surfaces, that is, without camber.

Torque