Definition
Steel cables running through the airframe that mechanically connect the pilot's flight controls (yoke or stick, rudder pedals, and trim wheel) to the control surfaces (ailerons, elevator, rudder, and trim tabs). When the pilot moves a control, the cables transmit that input through a system of pulleys, fairleads, and bellcranks to deflect the corresponding surface.
Plain English
The metal cables inside the airplane that link what the pilot moves in the cockpit to the moving parts on the wings and tail. Pull the yoke back, and a cable pulls the elevator up.
Context Anchor
You may encounter control cables during a preflight control check, in maintenance discussions, or when reading about control movement during spin recovery.
Why Pilots Care
During spins, reliable control cables ensure full authority over the rudder and elevator so the pilot can apply the correct recovery inputs without delay or reduced effectiveness.
Analogy
A control cable works somewhat like a bicycle brake cable: when you move the handle, the cable carries that pull to another part that needs to move.
Intuition Check
Do not think of control cables as electrical cables. In this context, they are mechanical cables that physically move flight controls.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot checked that the control surfaces moved freely and in the correct direction, confirming the control cables were properly rigged.
Example Sentence 2
Pre-flight inspection confirmed that the control cables had proper tension and no fraying before the training flight.