Plain English Meaning

A small bendable strip on the back edge of a control surface that a mechanic adjusts on the ground to fix a steady pull or push the pilot has been having to hold in flight. Once bent, it stays that way until someone bends it again on the ground.

Full Definition

Small metal tabs attached to the trailing edge of a control surface, typically the rudder, that can be bent on the ground by a mechanic to correct a flight imbalance. They are not adjustable from the cockpit and remain in their set position throughout flight.

Context Anchor

Seen in flight control system discussions, especially when describing trim devices that are set during rather than adjusted by the pilot in flight.