Definition
A rigid metal rod used in an aircraft control system to transmit pilot input from the cockpit controls to a flight control surface or other movable component. Control rods carry both pushing and pulling forces, allowing them to move a surface in either direction without the slack or stretch associated with cables.
Plain English
A solid metal rod that links the cockpit controls to a moving part of the aircraft, pushing or pulling that part when the pilot moves the controls.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance, inspections, and system descriptions for flight controls, engine controls, landing gear, and other mechanically linked systems.
Why Pilots Care
Damage, wear, or improper adjustment can cause imprecise or lost control response.
Intuition Check
A control rod is not the cockpit control itself. It is the rigid link inside the aircraft that passes the control movement along.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the mechanic checked each control rod end for wear and made sure the locking hardware was secure.
Example Sentence 2
A bent control rod caused sluggish aileron response until it was replaced.