FAA Ground School Practice Test

What happens to elevator effectiveness as power is reduced?

1. It increases

2. It remains the same

3. It is reduced

4. It becomes unpredictable

The correct answer is: It is reduced

As power is reduced, elevator effectiveness is reduced primarily due to the decrease in airflow over the control surfaces. The elevator relies on airflow to generate the necessary aerodynamic forces for pitch control. At lower power settings, a reduction in engine thrust results in a lower airspeed, which in turn leads to diminished airflow over the wings and tail. This reduced airflow reduces the effectiveness of the elevator because it is less able to respond to control inputs, leading to a sluggish or less effective change in pitch. In maneuvers requiring significant pitch control, such as climbing or turning, pilots may notice that the aircraft does not respond as crisply to elevator inputs when power is reduced. Therefore, the overall capability of the elevator to affect the aircraft's pitch attitude declines when power is lowered.