Aviation Word Of The Day - Empennage

 The empennage is the aft-most section of a conventional aircraft consisting of three primary parts. The empennage of an aircraft is also known as the tail section. These three parts are known as horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer and rudder. These 3 parts are responsible for controlling the aircraft in 3 axes.  They are also termed as primary control surfaces.

Different kinds of empennage

These control devices are hinged or movable surfaces through which the attitude of an aircraft is controlled during takeoff, flight, and landing.
Primary Control Surfaces
 The primary flight control surfaces on a fixed-wing aircraft include: ailerons, elevators, and the rudder. The ailerons are attached to the trailing edge of both wings and when moved, rotate the aircraft around the longitudinal axis. The elevator is attached to the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer. When it is moved, it alters aircraft pitch, which is the attitude about the horizontal or lateral axis. The rudder is hinged to the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer. When the rudder changes position, the aircraft rotates about the vertical axis (yaw).