A centre stick (or center stick in the United States), or simply control stick, is an aircraft cockpit arrangement where the control column (or joystick) is located in the center of the cockpit either between the pilot's legs or between the pilots' positions. Since the throttle controls are typically located to the left of the pilot, the right hand is used for the stick, although left-hand or both-hands operation is possible if required.[1]
The centre stick is a part of an aircraft's flight control system and is typically linked to its ailerons and elevators, or alternatively to its elevons, by control rods or control cables on basic aircraft. On heavier, faster, more advanced aircraft the centre stick may also control power-assist modules. Modern aircraft centre sticks are also usually equipped with a number of electrical control switches within easy finger reach, in order to reduce the pilot's workload.
The centre stick originated at the turn of the twentieth century. In 1900, Wilhelm Kress of Austria developed a control stick for aircraft, but did not apply for a patent. Instead, a patent was awarded to the French aviator, Robert Esnault-Pelterie who applied for it in 1907.[2]
Split stickEdit
A two-handed variation of the centre stick has existed as a split stick, with a similar arrangement to a yoke as it is bifurcated for the pilot to operate with both hands. This is not only used to operate the aircraft but for the pilot to also use radar controls. The F-8 Crusader is an example of an aircraft that used a split stick.[citation needed]
This arrangement contrasts with the more recently developed "side-stick", which is used in such military fighter jets as the F-16, the F-35 Lightning II and Rafale and also on civil aircraft such as the Airbus A320.
centre, stick, centre, stick, center, stick, united, states, simply, control, stick, aircraft, cockpit, arrangement, where, control, column, joystick, located, center, cockpit, either, between, pilot, legs, between, pilots, positions, since, throttle, controls. A centre stick or center stick in the United States or simply control stick is an aircraft cockpit arrangement where the control column or joystick is located in the center of the cockpit either between the pilot s legs or between the pilots positions Since the throttle controls are typically located to the left of the pilot the right hand is used for the stick although left hand or both hands operation is possible if required 1 A fly by wire centre stick in a preproduction Eurofighter Typhoon cockpitCentral forward area of the Mirage III cockpit showing a centre stickThe centre stick is a part of an aircraft s flight control system and is typically linked to its ailerons and elevators or alternatively to its elevons by control rods or control cables on basic aircraft On heavier faster more advanced aircraft the centre stick may also control power assist modules Modern aircraft centre sticks are also usually equipped with a number of electrical control switches within easy finger reach in order to reduce the pilot s workload Contents 1 History 2 Split stick 3 Popularity 4 See also 5 ReferencesHistory EditThe centre stick originated at the turn of the twentieth century In 1900 Wilhelm Kress of Austria developed a control stick for aircraft but did not apply for a patent Instead a patent was awarded to the French aviator Robert Esnault Pelterie who applied for it in 1907 2 Split stick EditA two handed variation of the centre stick has existed as a split stick with a similar arrangement to a yoke as it is bifurcated for the pilot to operate with both hands This is not only used to operate the aircraft but for the pilot to also use radar controls The F 8 Crusader is an example of an aircraft that used a split stick citation needed Popularity EditThe centre stick is used in many military fighter jets such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Mirage III but also in light aircraft such as Piper Cubs and the Diamond Aircraft line of products such as the DA20 DA40 and DA42 This arrangement contrasts with the more recently developed side stick which is used in such military fighter jets as the F 16 the F 35 Lightning II and Rafale and also on civil aircraft such as the Airbus A320 See also EditIndex of aviation articles Aircraft flight control system Dual control aviation HOTAS Rudder pedals Side stick Yoke aircraft References Edit Crane Dale Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms third edition page 132 Aviation Supplies amp Academics 1997 ISBN 1 56027 287 2 Connections episode 6 part 5 of 5 1976 Also Burke James 1978 Connections Boston Little Brown p 183 ISBN 0 316 11681 5 nbsp This aviation related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Centre stick amp oldid 1173648145, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
