# Pitch Control (Elevator)

> Longitudinal control, stick forces, and variable incidence stabilizers.

- **Subject:** 081 — Principles of Flight
- **Section:** 081-05 — Control
- **Topic code:** 081-05-02
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-04-01
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/principles-of-flight/control/pitch-longitudinal-control/

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## Elevator
The primary control surface for pitch (rotation around lateral axis).
*   **Location**: Hinged to the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer.
*   **Action**: 
    *   **Stick Back**: Elevator UP -> Tail Down force varies (increases/decreases depending on trim) -> Nose Pitches UP.
    *   **Stick Forward**: Elevator DOWN -> Tail Up force -> Nose Pitches DOWN.

## Stabilator (All-Moving Tail)
Instead of a fixed stabilizer and a movable elevator, the entire horizontal tail surface moves.
*   **Efficiency**: More efficient at high Mach numbers (prevents shock-induced separation on the elevator hinge).
*   **Control Forces**: Very low aerodynamic loads on the stick, so **Anti-Balance Tabs** or artificial feel units are required to give the pilot resistance.

## Variable Incidence Stabilizer
Used for **Trimming** on large transport aircraft (THS - Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer).
*   The **Elevator** is used for short-term control (maneuvering).
*   The **Stabilizer** moves to trim out long-term forces (changing CG, speed changes).
*   **Advantage**: Keeps the elevator streamlined with the stabilizer, preserving full elevator travel for maneuvering.

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