Which item is explicitly listed as a secondary flight control?

Which item is explicitly listed as a secondary flight control?

• A. Ground Spoilers
• B. Aileron
• C. Rudder
• D. Elevator

Answer: (A)

The main idea is understanding the difference between primary and secondary flight controls. Primary controls are the surfaces you actively use to maneuver the aircraft in normal flight: the ailerons roll the wings, the elevator pitches the nose, and the rudder yaws the aircraft. Ground spoilers, on the other hand, are a secondary flight control. They’re designed to disrupt lift and help braking once the airplane is on the runway, improving stopping performance and directional stability during landing rollout. They’re not used to control the aircraft’s attitude during flight, which is why they’re classified as secondary. The other surfaces—ailerons, rudder, and elevator—are primary controls essential for basic flight maneuvers, not secondary lift-spoiling functions.

The main idea is understanding the difference between primary and secondary flight controls. Primary controls are the surfaces you actively use to maneuver the aircraft in normal flight: the ailerons roll the wings, the elevator pitches the nose, and the rudder yaws the aircraft. Ground spoilers, on the other hand, are a secondary flight control. They’re designed to disrupt lift and help braking once the airplane is on the runway, improving stopping performance and directional stability during landing rollout. They’re not used to control the aircraft’s attitude during flight, which is why they’re classified as secondary. The other surfaces—ailerons, rudder, and elevator—are primary controls essential for basic flight maneuvers, not secondary lift-spoiling functions.