Which control surface is responsible for changing the pitch of an aircraft?

The control surface responsible for changing the pitch of an aircraft is the elevators. Elevators are located on the horizontal stabilizer at the tail of the aircraft and are designed to move up or down. When the elevators are raised, they cause the tail of the aircraft to move down, resulting in the nose of the aircraft pitching up. Conversely, when the elevators are lowered, the tail rises, and the nose pitches down. This action directly affects the aircraft's angle of attack and helps control its ascent or descent during flight.

In contrast, ailerons primarily control the roll of the aircraft, affecting its lateral movement and bank angle. The rudder is responsible for controlling the yaw, which is the left or right movement of the nose of the aircraft. Flaps serve to increase lift and drag during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing, but they do not alter the pitch. Understanding the distinct functions of these control surfaces is crucial for flight attendants as they may need to respond appropriately during different phases of flight or in emergency situations.