The Basics of Aircraft Cockpit Controls

The cockpit of an aircraft is the center of operations, serving as the space in which pilots manage flight procedures, monitor aircraft conditions, and more. As aircraft and their operations are quite complex, there is a large amount of controls that a pilot must be familiar with, and thick manuals can be referred to in order to learn the ins and outs of each item. In this blog, however, we will focus on the basics of cockpit controls, allowing you to be more familiar with the various tools provided for pilots during flight.

To initiate operations, pilots must be able to successfully kick start operations with the use of the ignition control system. Generally, switches may be used to start the auxiliary power unit for a larger jet engine aircraft, while smaller aircraft may take advantage of a car-like key or lever. Nevertheless, a majority of modern aircraft and pilots utilize automatic starters to begin operations. Many ignition systems exhibit five positions, those of which are Off, right (R), left (L), both, and start. When utilizing both, right, and left options, pilots can decide which magnetos or generators will be used for the means of starting engine operations.

For the actual directional management of the aircraft, pilots take advantage of yoke, side stick, and center stick controls. The yoke is considered to be the steering wheel of the aircraft, allowing the pilot to govern the ailerons for the means of moving up, down, over left, and over right. By twisting the yoke, one may manage the roll and pitch of the aircraft. Meanwhile, pushing the yoke forward and backward will adjust the nose down and up, respectively.

Yokes are common aircraft parts for fixed-wing aircraft, typically coming in the form of a W- or U-shaped control known as a control wheel. Smaller aircraft yokes, meanwhile, are generally attached to the instrument panel itself through the use of a tube. Other small aircraft may forgo yokes altogether, instead choosing to implement side sticks for control. Generally, these controls are placed on the sides of an instrument display so that the display may be made larger for the benefit of the pilot.

Regardless of whether the aircraft has a turbofan engine, piston-powered engine, or another type, having the proper engine controls is crucial for optimal and safe flight. Known as the engine control quadrant, such sections group together related controls near the bottom center of the instrument panel. The throttle is similar to the gas pedal of a car, allowing for power control in terms of increasing or decreasing fuel/air mixtures. If the aircraft has controllable or variable pitch, then a propeller control may be situated next to the throttle to manage propeller RPM. Last is the control for mixture, that of which is a red control next to the propeller control. By operating such aircraft parts, the pilot may manage the ratio of fuel and air to achieve a more rich or lean mixture.

Beyond such controls, pilots may also take advantage of flap panels for flap control, rudder pedals for yaw management, and more. Veritable Aerospace is a premier online purchasing platform for aircraft parts such as bar fuel pump, axle landing gear, hydraulic power, baffle cockpit, and valve jet engine components that have been sourced from leading global manufacturers. Peruse our vast offerings at your leisure, and our team of industry experts are always on standby 24/7x365 to assist customers through the purchasing process however necessary. Due to our unwavering dedication to strict quality control practices, we proudly conduct operations with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B certification and accreditation. Give our team members a call or email today and see how we can serve as your strategic sourcing partner for all your requirements.