

Many small and light airplanes feature anti-servo tabs.The first-generation Surface (launched as Surface with Windows RT, later marketed as Surface RT) is a hybrid tablet computer developed and manufactured by Microsoft. With anti-servo tabs, pilots must apply more force to control the airplane. Anti-servo tabs are designed to operate in the same direction as the respective control surfaces with which they are used. Also known as anti-balance tabs, they essentially work in the opposite way. It’s important to note that there are also anti-servo tabs. When lowered, air will move over the bottom of the respective control surface, resulting in an upward movement for the airplane. This action will then guide the airplane down. Raising a servo tab, for example, will force air to move over the top of the respective control surface. Instead, it will be redirected due to increased resistance. When either raised or lowered, air won’t be able to freely travel over the respective control surface. From the cockpit, pilots can raise or lower them. They are connected to an airplane’s flight control system. How Servo Tabs WorkĪlthough they sound complex, servo tabs have a relatively simple method of operation. And like all hinges, servo tabs can be raised or lower. Some of them are found on the wings, whereas others are found on the tail assembly. There are many different types of servo tabs. Pilots can essentially use them to create resistance that makes the airplane move in a particular direction.

Servo tabs allow pilots to move the airplane’s control surfaces more easily. If you inspect the wings or tail assembly of a typical commercial jet, you’ll probably see multiple hinges on them. Control surfaces, of course, consists of the wings and tail assembly. What are servo tabs exactly, and how do they work? Overview of Servo TabsĪlso known as Flettner tabs - a reference to the German aerospace manufacturing company Flettner, which designed them - servo tabs are hinges found on the control surfaces of an airplane. They are designed to assist with movements involving the control surfaces.

Servo tabs, for instance, are relatively small parts on the wings of an airplane. While you might be familiar with the wings and landing gear, there are smaller parts that often go unnoticed. A typical 747 commercial jet, in fact, is built with over 5 million parts. Airplanes are complex vehicles that consist of many different moving parts.
