This course serves as initial and refresher training on the operation and effect of roll, pitch and yaw control movements of an aircraft and the flight control surfaces required to do that. This includes also high lift devices and more exotic controls like elevons, ruddervators and flaperons. This general section also addresses drag inducing devices, boundary layer control devices and control surface bias and balance panels. After learning the basic layout and functions of flight controls, the next two sections cover primary and secondary flight controls in detail, using actual aircraft systems from different manufacturers to be able to understand and compare the different designs. The last chapter of this course explains the necessary maintenance actions to balance flight control surfaces after maintenance and how to rig flight control systems and check for correct flight control movements. The course finishes with a comprehensive multiple choice questionnaire allowing the participant to test his knowledge about flight controls.

The course is built into short 1-2 minute segments including animations, video and complete narration. Stage exams provide a refresher and confirmation of the key points. A menu bar provides easy navigation between topics. The average time spent to complete this course is 6 hours. However this may vary depending your experience and study habits. The course ends with a final exam which when passed, provides a printable certificate of completion in your name. Once you begin, you will have 1 year to complete and review the course.

Flight Controls is organized in the following sections.

Operation and effect of:

• Roll control - ailerons and spoilers.
• Pitch control - elevators, stabilators, canards.
• Yaw control - rudder, pedals, rudder limiter.
• Elevons and ruddervators.
• High lift devices, slots, slats, flaps, flaperons.
• Drag inducing devices; spoilers, lift dumpers, speed brakes.
• Wing fences, saw tooth leading edges.
• Boundary layer control; vortex generators, stall wedges, leading edge devices.
• Tabs, control surface bias and balance panels.

Primary flight controls:

• General.
• DH8 flight controls.
• Do328 flight controls.
• DH8 ailerons.
• Do328 ailerons.
• DH8 elevator.
• Do328 elevator.
• DH8 rudder.
• Do328 rudder.

Secondary flight controls:

• DH8 spoilers.
• Do328 spoilers.
• DH8 trim systems.
• Do328 trim systems.
• Active load control.
• Lift augmentation and flaps.
• DH8 high lift devices.
• Lift dump and speed brakes.
• DH8 artificial feel, yaw damper.
• Do328 artificial feel, yaw damper.
• DH8 stall protection.
• Do328 stall protection.

Balance rigging, flutter prevention:

• Balance rigging, flutter prevention