AFOQT Practice Test

Where are ailerons located on an aircraft?

1. At the leading edge of the wings

2. At the trailing edge of the wings

3. At the tail assembly

4. On the fuselage

The correct answer is: At the trailing edge of the wings

Ailerons are indeed located at the trailing edge of the wings. This placement is crucial because ailerons are responsible for controlling the roll of the aircraft. When a pilot inputs a roll command, the ailerons pivot in opposite directions—one goes up and the other goes down—creating a difference in lift between the two wings. This difference allows the aircraft to tilt to one side or the other. The other options reflect potential misconceptions about aircraft control surfaces. The leading edge of the wings typically houses different control surfaces like flaps or slats, which are used primarily for takeoff and landing. The tail assembly features elevators and rudders, which control pitch and yaw respectively, and the fuselage does not carry control surfaces but serves as the main body of the aircraft. Therefore, recognizing the specific role and location of ailerons helps in understanding how aircraft maneuver.