Cadet Competition Written Practice Exam

Which aircraft were the first that had directional control?

1. Gliders

2. Helicopters

3. Fixed-wing aircraft

4. Hot air balloons

The correct answer is: Gliders

Gliders were the first aircraft to have directional control. They are specifically designed to soar through the air, utilizing aerodynamic forces to glide efficiently. Pilots of gliders can control their direction through the use of control surfaces such as ailerons, rudders, and elevators, allowing them to maneuver effectively. In contrast, helicopters have a complex rotor system that provides lift and allows for directionally controlled flight, but they emerged later in the history of aviation. Fixed-wing aircraft, which also have directional control through similar control surfaces, were developed after gliders. Hot air balloons, while capable of vertical movement and basic directional control through wind currents, do not possess the same control surfaces or maneuverability that allows for precise directional control like gliders.