Definition
A control input in which the elevator's trailing edge is deflected downward by forward pressure on the control yoke or stick, decreasing the angle of attack on the horizontal stabilizer/elevator and causing the airplane's nose to pitch down.
Plain English
Pushing the yoke forward, which moves the back edge of the tail's elevator surface down and lowers the airplane's nose.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of pitch control, airspeed control, descent, landing, and energy management.
Derivation
Elevator' comes from Latin 'elevare,' meaning 'to raise.' The control surface is named for its ability to raise or lower the nose. 'Down-elevator' specifies the direction the trailing edge moves, which produces a nose-down pitch.
Why Pilots Care
Directly controls pitch attitude, angle of attack, and the exchange between airspeed and altitude.
Grounding Statement
When the pilot pushes forward on the controls, the elevator moves down and the nose tends to move down.
Intuition Check
Do not read “down-elevator” as “the airplane goes down.” It means the elevator surface moves downward, which usually makes the nose lower.
Example Sentence 1
At the first sign of a stall, the pilot applied down-elevator to reduce the angle of attack and recover flying speed.
Example Sentence 2
Too much down-elevator in a turn can raise angle of attack and risk a stall.