Axes of an aircraft

Definitions

• Three imaginary lines that pass through an aircraft’s center of gravity. The axes can be considered as imaginary axles around which the aircraft turns. The three axes pass through the center of gravity at 90° angles to each other. The axis from nose
• Three imaginary lines that pass through an aircraft’s center of gravity. The axes can be considered as imaginary axes around which the aircraft turns. The three axes pass through the center of gravity at 90° angles to each other. The axis from nose to tail is the longitudinal axis, the axis that passes side to side along the wingspan is the lateral axis and the axis that passes vertically through the center of gravity is the vertical axis.

References

• Airplane Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2021
• Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2008