Control horn

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Control column in the cockpit of a Boeing 777 , fixed in the floor
Control horns in the cockpit of a Beechcraft Musketeer on a pipe running through the instrument panel
Control horn in the cockpit of a Boeing 737

The control horn is the device used to control airplanes in particular , around the longitudinal and transverse axes. It is located in the cockpit in front of the pilot and has handles for both hands. It replaces the classic control stick in many modern aircraft .

On large aircraft, the control horn is typically attached to the top of a control column that is anchored in the ground with the pilot's legs to the right and left of it. In smaller machines, the control horn is usually at the end of a tube that runs forward through the instrument panel.

Lateral tilting or turning (depending on the mounting) of the control horn causes a corresponding movement of the aircraft around the longitudinal axis (lowering of one wing and raising of the other) by means of the ailerons . Tilting or pushing / pulling forwards / backwards causes a movement around the transverse axis by means of the elevator, a movement forwards lowering the nose of the aircraft and a movement backwards pulling it up.

The control horn is supplemented by two pedals for operating the rudder . The control horn and pedals must be operated in a coordinated manner for smooth flight in turns.

The control signal is transmitted to the control surfaces either mechanically or by a fly-by-wire system . With a classic control horn design without hydraulic support, the forces that act on the aircraft during flight are transferred to the control unit in the form of resistance and deflection. With the sidestick and hydraulic rudder actuation, this feedback is not available due to the lack of mechanical coupling - these forces are therefore artificially generated, comparable to a force feedback function. Sidesticks are used in combat aircraft and in many Airbus aircraft.

A control horn is also used in a great many submarines .

In English, the control horn is called a "yoke".

See also