What Is the Tailplane and Its Functionality for Flight?

The tailplane is a crucial, yet overlooked, section of aircraft design that is found on countless fixed-wing airplanes. Also referred to as the horizontal stabilizer, the aircraft tailplane commonly features two horizontal extensions that protrude out of the back end of the aviation fuselage on both sides. True to their name, horizontal stabilizers or tailplanes serve to stabilize aircraft during flight. To better understand how such structures provide balance for the benefit of flight operations, we will discuss their design and functionality.

The tailplane is a type of lifting device that is situated at the airplane tail, extending outwards left and right from the center of the fuselage. In a sense, the structures are similar in appearance and design to aircraft wings, albeit smaller. The tailplane should not be confused with the vertical stabilizer, that of which is the structure that protrudes upwards from the fuselage in the same area. While the vertical stabilizer consists of a single upwards facing surface, the horizontal stabilizer always consists of two equal surfaces that extend outwards.

As a lifting device similar to aircraft wings, the tailplane serves to create lift across each extension. As airflow passes across the top and bottom surface of the vertical stabilizer, the difference in air pressure creates a lifting force that holds the aircraft level in flight. While this is beneficial for remaining in the air, aircraft will require the use of a propulsion system to truly be capable of flight. As such, the combination of the propulsion system and lift devices such as the aircraft tailplane and wings promote standard flight.

Alongside generating lift for enhanced flight capabilities, the tailplane structure also balances and stabilizes the aircraft during flight. During typical operations, turbulence is a common condition faced by aircraft which can cause abrupt changes in altitude and attitude. Turbulence is the result of fast moving air that moves through the atmosphere in streams and pockets, generally being something that pilots seek to avoid. As turbulence can not always be avoided, pilots rely on the tailplane for enhanced control as such surfaces prevent the aircraft from moving away from its intended heading during such conditions.

To manage the capabilities of the tailplane, a device known as an elevator is present. The elevator is a type of flap that may pivot up and down to increase or decrease lift, controlled by the pilot from within the cockpit. With the elevator, the wing angle of attack may be managed to balance lift and drag for various flight operations. When landing, the elevator is often raised to increase lift and drag, ensuring that the nose pitches up for a safe touchdown.

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