Definition
A stranded steel cable used in aircraft control systems to transmit pilot input from the cockpit controls to the control surfaces or other operated components. Flexible control cables are typically made of seven strands of seven wires each (7x7 construction), giving them enough flexibility to bend around pulleys while still resisting stretch under load.
Plain English
A bendable steel cable that carries the pilot's movements from the controls in the cockpit to the parts of the aircraft those controls operate, such as the rudder or elevator.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance, preflight awareness, and discussions of flight control systems that use cables, pulleys, and guides.
Derivation
Flexible' comes from the Latin flectere, meaning 'to bend.' The name highlights that this cable can bend around pulleys and fairleads inside the airframe, unlike a stiff rod or solid wire, while still pulling reliably on the controls at the other end.
Why Pilots Care
Provides reliable control input transmission when rigid rods cannot be used because of airframe layout.
Intuition Check
Flexible does not mean stretchy or weak here. It means the cable can bend around pulleys and guides while still transmitting a firm pull.
Example Sentence 1
During the annual inspection, the mechanic ran a cloth along each flexible control cable to check for broken wire strands.
Example Sentence 2
Proper tension on the flexible control cable prevents binding in the flight controls.