Computer drawing of an airliner showing the axes of rotation
 in roll, pitch and yaw.

Since we live in a three dimensional world, it is necessary to control the attitude or orientation of a flying aircraft in all three dimensions. In flight, any aircraft will rotate about its center of gravity, a point which is the average location of the mass of the aircraft. We can define a three dimensional coordinate system through the center of gravity with each axis of this coordinate system perpendicular to the other two axes. We can then define the orientation of the aircraft by the amount of rotation of the parts of the aircraft along these principal axes.

The yaw axis is defined to be perpendicular to the plane of the wings. A yaw motion is a movement of the nose of the aircraft from side to side. The pitch axis is perpendicular to the yaw axis and lies in the plane of the wings. A pitch motion is an up or down movement of the nose of the aircraft. The roll axis is perpendicular to the other two axes and lies in the fuselage of the aircraft pointing towards the nose. A rolling motion is an up and down movement of the wing tips of the aircraft.

In flight, the control surfaces of an aircraft produce aerodynamic forces. These forces are applied at the center of pressure of the control surfaces which are some distance from the aircraft cg and produce torques (or moments) about the principal axes. The torques cause the aircraft to rotate. The elevators produce a pitching moment, the rudder produces a yawing moment, and the ailerons produce a rolling moment. The ability to vary the amount of the force and the moment allows the pilot to maneuver or to trim the aircraft. The first aircraft to achieve complete active control was the Wright brothers' 1902 glider.


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byTom Benson
Please send suggestions/corrections to: benson@grc.nasa.gov