Stabilator

Common card · No. 409571

A stabilator is a fully movable aircraft horizontal stabilizer. It combines the functions of both the fixed stabilizer and the movable elevator, providing longitudinal stability, pitch control, and appropriate stick force. Apart from reduced drag, particularly at high Mach numbers, it is a useful device for changing the aircraft balance within wide limits, and for reducing stick forces. The term "stabilator" is a portmanteau of stabilizer and elevator. It is also known as an all-moving tailplane (British English), all-movable tail(plane), all-moving stabilizer, all-flying tail (American English), all-flying horizontal tail, full-flying stabilizer, and slab tailplane.

Read on Wikipedia · Image U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Derek Allen, Public domain