A plane has a total of three axes. The longitudinal axis, the lateral axis, and the vertical axis. The longitudinal axis goes through the plane from the nose of the plane to its tail. The lateral axis goes through the plane from wing tip to wing tip. The vertical axis is an imaginary line that goes through the plane from top to bottom at a point on the plane where it would balance.

Flight Control Surface Movement Generated Axis Plane Moves About Ailerons Roll Longitudinal Rudder Yaw Vertical Elevator Pitch Lateral

FORWARD

Please send any comments to:
Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov