What function do ailerons serve during a turn?

Ailerons are primarily used to create differential lift during a turn, which allows the aircraft to roll in the desired direction. When the pilot moves the control stick or yoke to one side, one aileron goes up while the other goes down. The aileron that is raised decreases lift on that wing, while the aileron that is lowered increases lift on the opposite wing. This differential lift causes the aircraft to roll toward the wing with the increased lift, aiding in the turning maneuver.

The ability to effectively roll the aircraft is essential for changing direction, as it allows the wings to bank into the turn, thereby utilizing the aircraft's lift vector more efficiently. As a result, ailerons play a critical role in the coordination of flight maneuvers, particularly during turns. This is fundamental to aircraft control and essential to understanding how to manage flight dynamics safely.