What aspect does the elevator control in an aircraft?

The elevator primarily controls the pitch of an aircraft, which refers to the angle of the nose relative to the horizon. When the elevator is moved up, it raises the tail of the aircraft, which causes the nose to lower, leading the aircraft to descend. Conversely, when the elevator is moved down, it lowers the tail, raising the nose and causing the aircraft to climb.

This control mechanism allows pilots to adjust the aircraft's angle of attack and maintain desired altitudes during flight. By adjusting the pitch, pilots can manage how the aircraft climbs, descends, or levels off, making the elevator a crucial component in achieving and maintaining controlled flight.

In contrast, roll refers to the rotation of the aircraft around its longitudinal axis, controlled by the ailerons. Yaw involves the rotation around the vertical axis, managed by the rudder. Altitude is the height above a reference level, typically sea level, and is influenced by pitch but is not directly controlled by the elevator itself.