Which control surface is primarily used to control yaw on an aircraft?

The rudder is the control surface primarily used to control yaw on an aircraft. Yaw refers to the left or right movement of the aircraft's nose around its vertical axis. The rudder is located on the vertical stabilizer (the tail fin) and moves side to side. When the pilot pushes on the rudder pedals, the rudder deflects, creating a force that turns the aircraft left or right. This is critical for coordinating turns and maintaining directional control, especially during maneuvers such as turns or crosswind landings.

In contrast, ailerons are primarily responsible for controlling roll, which allows an aircraft to bank left or right. The elevator controls pitch, impacting the aircraft's angle of ascent or descent. Flaps, on the other hand, increase lift during takeoff and landing but do not play a direct role in controlling the yaw motion. Understanding these functions helps clarify the specific role of each control surface in aircraft operation.