What is the main function of the elevator on an aircraft?

The primary function of the elevator on an aircraft is to control the pitch, which refers to the angle of the aircraft's nose relative to the horizon. The elevator, typically located at the tail of the aircraft on the horizontal stabilizer, dictates whether the nose of the airplane moves up or down. When the pilot pulls back on the control yoke or stick, the elevator deflects upward, causing the tail to push down, which results in the nose of the aircraft rising and increasing the pitch. Conversely, pushing forward lowers the elevator, causing the nose to descend and decreasing the pitch.

This function is crucial for managing altitude and achieving desired climb or descent rates during flight. By effectively controlling pitch, the elevator allows the pilot to maintain level flight or execute maneuvers like climbs and descents, thus directly influencing the airborne behavior of the aircraft.

Other options relate to different control surfaces and their roles; for instance, yaw is primarily controlled by the rudder, while roll is managed by ailerons. Stabilization in flight involves various factors and systems, not solely the elevator's function, which is specifically tied to pitch control.