Flight Controls, Axes and Climb

This lesson supports study only. It does not replace current CASA, Airservices or approved operator procedures.

Every movement is around an axis

Pitch is movement around the lateral axis, roll is movement around the longitudinal axis and yaw is movement around the vertical axis.

Remote pilots do not need to become aerodynamic engineers, but they do need to connect stick input, aircraft attitude, power and flight path.

Aircraft axes diagram showing pitch, roll and yaw — Pitch, roll and yaw become much simpler once the three aircraft axes are visible.

Power changes vertical and horizontal performance

Increasing power may increase climb, speed or both depending on the aircraft type and attitude. Reducing power may increase descent or reduce speed.

Angle of climb describes steepness over the ground. Rate of climb describes vertical speed. Wind can change the angle over the ground without changing the aircraft's actual vertical performance.

Speed, distance and time diagram for basic flight planning — Climb, groundspeed and time are linked. The diagram helps turn performance language into planning arithmetic.

Skid, slip and trim are control quality topics

Skid and slip describe unbalanced flight. Trim controls reduce the force or input needed to hold an attitude. Even when automation hides these effects, the pilot should recognise poor control behaviour.

Practice Questions

Which axis is associated with yaw?

Vertical axis
Longitudinal axis
Lateral axis
Magnetic axis

Answer: Vertical axis

Yaw is rotation left or right around the aircraft's vertical axis.

Next step after study

Complete your Remote Pilot Licence training

The free study guide is a strong theory foundation. To actually be issued with a RePL, students still complete approved training, practical flying and assessment with a certified provider.

Enrol in the RePL Course View Course Details