Tabs are Aircraft secondary control surfaces-

Functions, classification and working principles

March 20, 2015 | No Comments | Aviation

Tabs: Tabs are aircraft secondary

control surfaces. To offset the forces that tend to unbalance an aircraft in flight, ailerons,
elevators, and rudders are provided with auxiliary controls known as tabs. Even though an aircraft
has inherent stability, it does not always tend to fly straight and level. The weight of the load and
its distribution affect stability. Various speeds also affect its flight characteristics. If the fuel in
one wing tank is used before that in the other wing tank, the aircraft tends to roll toward the full
tank. All of these variations require constant exertion of pressure on the controls for correction.
While climbing or gliding, it is necessary to apply pressure on the controls to keep the aircraft in
the desired attitude.

Tab forces
These are small, hinged control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the primary control
surfaces. Tabs can be moved up or down by means of a crank or moved electrically from
the cockpit. These tabs can be used to balance the forces on the controls so that the aircraft
flies straight and level or may be set so that the aircraft maintains either a climbing or gliding
attitude.

How a tab work

Tabs may be used for:
 Control balancing, to assist the pilot to move the control.
 Servo operation of the control;
 Trimming.
Types of tabs: Different types of tabs are-
 Trim tab
 Servo tab
 Balance tab
 Anti-balance tab
 Spring tab
 Trim tab
Trim Tabs: Trim tabs trim the aircraft in flight. To trim means to correct any tendency of the
aircraft to move toward an undesirable flight attitude. Trim tabs control the balance of an aircraft
so that it maintains straight and level flight without pressure on the control column, control
wheel, or rudder pedals.

Trim tab working principles

Working principles: The tab has a variable linkage which is adjustable from the cockpit.
Movement of the tab in one direction causes a deflection of the control surface in the opposite
direction. Most of the trim tabs installed on aircraft are mechanically operated from the cockpit
through an individual cable system. However, some aircraft have trim tabs that are operated by an
electrical actuator. Trim tabs are either controlled from the cockpit or adjusted on the ground
before taking off. Trim tabs are installed on elevators, rudders, and ailerons.

Servo tab
Servo Tabs: Servo tabs are very similar in operation and appearance to the trim tabs just
discussed. Servo tabs, sometimes referred to as Sight tabs, are used primarily on the large main
control surfaces.
Functions: They aid in moving the control surface and holding it in the desired position. Only
the servo tab moves in response to movement of the cockpit control. The servo tab horn is free to
pivot to the main control surface hinge axis. The force of the airflow on the servo tab then moves
the primary control surface. With the use of a servo tab less force is needed to move the main
control surface.

Balance tab
Balance Tabs: The linkage is designed in such a way that when the main control surface is
moved, the tab moves in
the opposite direction. Thus, aerodynamic forces, acting on the tab, assist in moving the main
control surface. Reduce the effort the pilots needs to apply, to move the control surface.

Anti-balance tab
Anti-balance Tab: Give the pilot “feel”, so that the aircraft will not be over stressed as a result of
excessive movement of the control surface by the pilot.

Spring tab
Spring Tabs: Spring tabs are similar in appearance to trim tabs, but serve an entirely
different purpose.
Purposes of Spring tabs: Spring tabs are used for the same purpose as hydraulic actuators, that
is, to aid in moving a primary control surface.

Spring tab working principles

Working principles: There are various spring arrangements used in the linkage of the spring
tab. On some aircraft, a spring tab is hinged to the trailing edge of each aileron and is actuated by
a spring·loaded push-pull rod assembly which is also linked to the aileron control linkage. The
linkage is connected in such a way that movement of the aileron in one direction causes the
spring tab to be deflected in the opposite direction. This provides a balanced condition, thus
reducing the amount of force required to move the ailerons. The deflection of the spring tabs is
directly proportional to the aerodynamic load imposed upon the aileron.
At low speeds the spring tab remains in a neutral position and the aileron is a direct manually
controlled surface.
At high speeds, however, where the aerodynamic load is great, the tab functions as an aid in
moving the primary control surface. To lessen the force required to operate the control surfaces
they are usually balanced statically and aerodynamically.
 Three forms of aerodynamic balance.
Aerodynamic balance: Aerodynamic balance is usually achieved by extending a portion of the
control surface ahead of the hinge line. This utilizes the airflow about the aircraft to aid in
moving the surface. Static balance is accomplished by adding weight to the section forward of the
hinge line until it weighs the same as the section aft of it. When repairing a control surface use
care to prevent upsetting or disturbing the static balance. An unbalanced
surface has a tendency to flutter as air passes over it. The various methods of achieving
aerodynamic
balance are-
 Overhang
 Handley-Page
 Friese