noun
aileron
AYL-uh-rahn/ˈeɪlərɑːn/
A hinged surface on an aircraft wing that controls side-to-side tilting.
The pilot moves the aileron to begin banking the aircraft.
Etymology
Aile plus a diminutive ending gives “little wing.” This image names the small hinged flap on an airplane’s wing that controls rolling motion.
In context
The pilots would have had to immediately initiate full right rudder and full right aileron to try to counteract this, together with reducing the thrust on the operating right engine to minimize the thrust asymmetry.
More examples
- The mechanic inspected both ailerons before the flight.
- A damaged aileron can interfere with control of the aircraft.
- The two ailerons move in opposite directions during a roll.
Forms
aileron · ailerons