What type of motion does the ailerons control?

Ailerons specifically control the roll motion of an aircraft. When a pilot moves the control yoke or stick to the left or right, the ailerons on each wing move in opposite directions: one aileron goes up while the other goes down. This differential movement changes the lift produced by each wing, causing the aircraft to roll toward the side with the downward-moving aileron, effectively tilting the aircraft's wings in that direction.

Understanding this function is crucial for pilots, as controlling roll is vital for maintaining the desired flight path, especially during maneuvers such as turns and stabilizing the aircraft in turbulent conditions. Other types of motion, such as pitch and yaw, are controlled by different control surfaces; pitch is managed by the elevators, while yaw is controlled by the rudder. Lift is a result of the airflow over the wings and is not directly controlled by the ailerons themselves.