What is the difference in effects of ailrons and rudders?

Question

When I use MS Flight Simulator 2004, I find that the effects of ailrons and rudders are the same: turning the aircarft. I would like to understand why both do the same action?

Answer 1

It's a shame that the games don't have a turn coordinator because it would answer your question by experience.

Answer 2

AILERONS; it rolls the aircraft, left or right, around it's longitudenal axis.

RUDDER: yaw the aircraft along it's vertical axis

longitudenal axis; from aircrafts nose, (fuselage), to its tale, (empanage).

vertical axis; view from side, from top to bottom of aircraft.

WHEN you want to turn, lets say left, you are going to roll the aircraft to the left (slightly) via the ailerons, then you are going to push the rudder to yaw.

WHAT ALSO WORKS, ACTUALLY BETTER!!! Roll the aircraft to the left, pull the elevator towards you, (upwards). Much better!!!

Answer 3

ailerons = up and down

rudder = left and right

Answer 4

The primary effect of rudder is yaw. However, when you push hard right rudder, the left wing wing is pushed forward. This means that it is traveling faster than the right wing. This means that more lift is generated by the left wing, which causes is to climb. With the left wing climbing, the secondary effect of rudder is bank.

The primary effect of ailerons is bank. If you bank left, more air is hitting the left side of the rudder. This will have the effect of pushing the rudder upwards. With it being pushed upwards, the nose will swing in the opposite direction. Therefore, the secondary effect of aileron is yaw.

Basic principles of flight.

Answer 5

You have to understand that computerized flight simulators are not very realistic.  They do not "fly" the same way a real airplane flies at all.

If you want to get the feel of flying an airplane, unplug the simulator and head for the airport.  When you sit behind the controls of an airplane, the workings of the ailerons and rudder will become apparent.

In a real airplane, the ailerons provide roll control; that is, the "banking" of the airplane from left to right.  In flight, rolling to the left or right causes the airplane to turn in that direction, because the force of lift tilts to one side or the other as the airplane banks.  But it is not a coordinated turn, and the tail will not follow the nose in a smooth curve as the pilot intends.

In an airplane, you use the rudder to coordinate turns by pushing the airplane's center line to the side opposite the bank, providing for a smooth turn.  You use BOTH the rudder and the ailerons together.  With any experience in a real airplane, you will quickly find this is an important matter.

In most light airplanes, the rudder pedals also provide steering on the ground.

Again, it is highly unlikely your simulator is giving you a very good impression of how an airplane handles.  That is easily cured.

Go fly, and have a great time!

Answer 6

Aviophage is spot on... Hannes, you scare me if you're an AME mate.