What happens to yaw, pitch, or roll stability if control surfaces are misaligned?

Prepare for the FAA Flight Controls Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

When control surfaces are misaligned, they can disrupt the intended aerodynamic balance of the aircraft, leading to instability in yaw, pitch, or roll. Control surfaces, such as ailerons, elevators, and rudders, are designed to manage the aircraft’s orientation and direction during flight. Misalignment can cause forces that are not aligned with the aircraft's center of gravity, resulting in unexpected or heightened responses to pilot inputs.

For instance, if the ailerons are not functioning symmetrically, it can make rolling the aircraft more challenging and lead to excessive banking, potentially causing the pilot to overcorrect. Similarly, misaligned rudders can cause yaw instability, making the aircraft susceptible to unwanted lateral movements. This instability can limit the pilot's ability to maintain controlled flight and can complicate recovery from unusual attitudes.

In essence, when control surfaces are misaligned, the stability and controllability of the aircraft diminish, leading to increased difficulties in managing its flight path effectively. This makes option C the correct choice, as the aircraft's stability is adversely affected by misalignment of its control surfaces.

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