Aviation Standard Test Battery-E (ASTB E) Practice Test

What does the empennage of an aircraft consist of?

1. Wings and fuselage

2. Rudders, stabilizers, and elevators

3. Main rotor blades

4. Primary flight controls

The correct answer is: Rudders, stabilizers, and elevators

The empennage of an aircraft, often referred to as the tail section, consists of the rudders, stabilizers, and elevators. This structural component plays a crucial role in the aircraft's stability and control during flight. The horizontal stabilizer contributes to pitch stability and is paired with the elevator, which the pilot adjusts to control the aircraft's pitch attitude. The vertical stabilizer, on the other hand, houses the rudder, which is pivotal for controlling yaw. Together, these surfaces allow for effective maneuvering and directional stability, ensuring the aircraft maintains its intended flight path. The other options do not accurately describe the empennage. While wings and fuselage are fundamental parts of an aircraft, they are separate from the empennage's function. Main rotor blades are specific to rotorcraft and not applicable to the empennage of fixed-wing aircraft. Primary flight controls include various control mechanisms, but they encompass a broader range than just the stabilizers, rudders, and elevators that constitute the empennage.