Which control surfaces are typically found on the empennage of an aircraft?

The empennage of an aircraft is primarily responsible for stability and control during flight, and it typically includes the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, along with their associated control surfaces. The rudder, which is located on the vertical stabilizer, is crucial for controlling yaw, allowing the aircraft to move left or right around its vertical axis. The elevator, attached to the horizontal stabilizer, manages pitch control, enabling the aircraft to ascend or descend.

A stabilator, which is a combination of an elevator and horizontal stabilizer into a single surface, can also serve in similar roles when installed on an aircraft, enhancing its aerodynamics and controls. The selection of rudder, elevator, and stabilator as the correct answer reflects these primary components that are explicitly associated with the empennage and contribute direct control over yaw and pitch.

In contrast, options that include ailerons and canards do not align with the traditional components found solely on the empennage. While flaps, slats, and spoilers are control surfaces, they are predominantly located on the wings rather than the tail structure. Understanding the roles of these control surfaces helps clarify why the correct answer focuses on the typical components that influence an aircraft’s flight stability and directional control.