Secondary Flight Controls: What They Are and How They Work
In addition to the primary flight controls, which allow pilots to adjust the attitude of an aircraft in the sky, there are also several secondary flight controls that help to fine-tune the aircraft's performance. These controls include the throttle, mixture, flaps, elevator trim, and carb heat. Let's take a closer look at each of these controls and how they work. The throttle is a lever that controls the amount of fuel being delivered to the engine. By increasing or decreasing the throttle setting, the pilot can increase or decrease the power output of the engine. This, in turn, affects the speed and altitude of the aircraft. The throttle is typically located on the left side of the cockpit and is operated with the pilot's left hand. The mixture is a control that adjusts the ratio of fuel to air being delivered to the engine. By leaning the mixture, the pilot can adjust the fuel flow to match the amount of oxygen available at different altitudes. This helps to optimize the ...