Definition
A mechanical spring installed in the elevator control system that applies a constant nose-down force on the elevator, used to improve longitudinal stability and ensure adequate stick force per g, particularly in aircraft whose natural stability characteristics would otherwise allow the nose to pitch up too easily.
Plain English
A spring inside the flight controls that constantly pulls the elevator in a nose-down direction. The pilot doesn't feel it directly, but it makes the airplane behave more predictably in pitch and ensures pulling back on the controls always requires a sensible amount of force.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance discussions of flight controls, elevator rigging, pitch trim, and control feel.
Derivation
Downspring' is literally a spring that pulls down. In this case, it pulls the elevator toward the nose-down position. The name describes its job directly.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents pitch instability and heavy control forces that could make the aircraft difficult to fly safely at low speeds.
Intuition Check
“Elevator” here does not mean a lift in a building. It means the movable tail surface that helps control whether the airplane’s nose goes up or down.
Example Sentence 1
During the rigging check, the technician verified the elevator downspring tension matched the value specified in the maintenance manual.
Example Sentence 2
With the elevator downspring correctly rigged, the aircraft maintained stable pitch attitude even when power was reduced.