Which control surface governs the airplane's movement around its lateral axis?

The elevator is the control surface responsible for governing an airplane's movement around its lateral axis, which is also referred to as the pitch axis. The lateral axis runs from wingtip to wingtip, and pitching movements involve the up and down motion of the aircraft's nose. When the elevator is manipulated by the pilot, it changes the angle of attack of the tail section, causing the nose of the airplane to rise or fall.

This movement is crucial for controlling the aircraft's ascent and descent during flight, allowing the pilot to manage altitude. As the elevator moves, it alters the airflow over the horizontal stabilizer, which generates either a downward force to lower the nose or an upward force to raise it. Understanding the function of the elevator is essential for effective pitch control during various flight maneuvers.

The other control surfaces have different roles; ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis, the rudder affects yaw around the vertical axis, and flaps impact lift during takeoff and landing but do not directly control pitch.