A rudder is a primary control surface used to steer a ship, boat, submarine, hovercraft, aircraft, or other vehicle that moves through a fluid medium (generally air or water) . It is a flat plane or sheet of material attached with hinges to the crafts stern, tail, or after end, and it operates by redirecting the fluid past the hull or fuselage, thus imparting a turning or yawing motion to the craft. The key features of a rudder include:
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Location: A rudder is generally fastened outside the hull of a boat or ship, and it is mounted on the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer of an aircraft.
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Function: A rudder is used to steer a craft by redirecting the fluid past the hull or fuselage, thus imparting a turning or yawing motion to the craft. It is used to control the position of the nose of the aircraft and to overcome adverse yaw induced by turning or engine failure.
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Design: Often rudders are shaped so as to minimize hydrodynamic or aerodynamic drag. The rudder works by changing the effective shape of the airfoil of the vertical stabilizer.
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Control: In most aircraft, the rudder is controlled through the flight deck rudder pedals which are linked mechanically to the rudder. Deflection of a rudder pedal causes a corresponding rudder deflection in the same direction.
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Importance: The rudder is one of the airplanes three primary flight controls, and it is used to control the yaw of the aircraft independently of the roll. It is also used to keep the aircraft coordinated and to intentionally slip the aircraft, a handy skill to have for crosswind landings.
In summary, a rudder is a control surface used to steer a craft through a fluid medium, and it is an important component of many vehicles, including ships, boats, submarines, hovercraft, and aircraft.
