Which of the following correctly describes how an anti-balance tab (fitted to the elevators) works?
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A
It moves in the opposite direction as the elevators, reducing the control load felt by the pilot.
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B
It moves in the same direction as the elevators, reducing the control load felt by the pilot.
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C
It moves in the opposite direction as the elevators, increasing the control load felt by the pilot.
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D
It moves in the same direction as the elevators, increasing the control load felt by the pilot.
Refer to figure.
A balance tab is an aerodynamic surface designed to assist the pilot in moving the controls. It achieves this by deflecting in a way that it creates an aerodynamic force, pushing the control surface in the direction the pilot wants to move it.
An anti-balance tab does the opposite. It is designed to increase the control forces/loads the pilot feels, by creating a force which opposes the movement of the control surface. An anti-balance tab deflects in the same direction as the control surface. This increases the control forces, as well as increasing the effectiveness of the control surface.
In this case, we are referring to an anti-balance tab on the elevators. This tab will move in the same direction as the elevators, increasing the force on the entire control surface, which the pilot must then counteract.
These types of tabs are fitted to aircraft where the control forces are too low. The anti-balance tab is fitted to increase the feel of the controls and prevent the pilot from making excessive control inputs.
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