Expert: Colin Woehrle - 3/10/2010

Question
If your flying a plane, let's say a plane that can do tricks, and you do a 90 degree roll to where the wings are now vertical in the air, as well as the tail, would the tail flap act as the elevators when in this position, when trying to climb, or descend? And would the elevators act as the tall for yaw(ing?), is yawing a term? Haha, thanks a lot. I've always been curios for some reason.

Answer
Hey Mike,

In a rough sorta way, yes. With the airplane rolled 90 degrees on its side the rudder on the tail could be used for pitching up and down (climbing and descending) and the elevator could be used for yawing left and right. Some aerobatic airplanes do a maneuver called a "knife edge" where this applies. Thanks for the question.

Colin