What primary role do ailerons serve on an aircraft?

Ailerons play a crucial role in controlling the roll of an aircraft. Located on the wings, ailerons are movable surfaces that operate in opposition to one another; when one aileron moves up, the other moves down. This differential movement alters the lift generated over each wing, causing the aircraft to roll toward the wing with the descending aileron.

This roll control is vital during various flight maneuvers, such as turns, where the pilot needs to bank the aircraft. By adjusting the ailerons, pilots can effectively manage the aircraft's orientation and stability in the air. Other flight control surfaces, like elevators and rudders, are responsible for managing pitch and yaw, respectively, making ailerons uniquely important for roll control.