What are the primary flight controls in an aircraft?

The primary flight controls in an aircraft are essential components responsible for maneuvering and controlling the aircraft in flight. Ailerons, elevators, and rudders are specifically designed to manage different axes of rotation. Ailerons control roll, allowing the aircraft to tilt its wings and change direction in a horizontal plane. The elevator affects pitch, enabling the aircraft to ascend and descend. The rudder governs yaw, assisting in the side-to-side movement of the aircraft's nose.

While the other options include important flight control elements, they do not encompass the primary controls necessary for basic flight maneuvering. Flaps, slats, and spoilers enhance performance during specific phases of flight rather than serving as fundamental controls. Control yokes and throttle are pilot interfaces that help manage the aircraft's flight controls but are not considered the primary controls themselves. Trim tabs, although used to assist in stabilizing the aircraft, are secondary controls that fine-tune the primary control surfaces rather than operating as primary flight controls.