Understanding Flight Controls | PHAK Chapter 6 – Primary and Secondary Systems

Welcome to Chapter 6 of the FAA’s Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) — Flight Controls.

In this lesson, we’ll explore the primary flight controls — ailerons, elevator, and rudder — and the secondary controls that help pilots fine-tune flight performance, like flaps, trim tabs, and spoilers.

You’ll see how each control surface affects the airplane’s pitch, roll, and yaw, and how pilots maintain balance, stability, and coordinated flight.

We’ll also cover control linkages, fly-by-wire systems, and how modern aircraft achieve precise handling and responsiveness.

Whether you’re a student pilot studying for your written test or just curious about how airplanes are maneuvered, this chapter brings flight control systems to life.