Definition
A mechanical or electronic linkage in a flight control system that combines two pilot inputs and routes them to a single set of control surfaces. In a flaperon system, the mixer blends aileron (roll) inputs and flap (lift) inputs so that one pair of surfaces can perform both functions at the same time.
Plain English
A device that takes two separate pilot commands and combines them so a single pair of control surfaces can do two jobs at once.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of flaperons, where one control surface has to respond correctly to both roll control and flap selection.
Derivation
From the everyday word 'mix' — to blend things together. The mixer literally blends two control inputs into one combined output.
Why Pilots Care
Enables simpler wing construction while still providing both roll control and extra lift for takeoff and landing.
Intuition Check
Do not think of mixer here as a fuel-mixture control or a kitchen-style mixer. In this context, it means a control-system mechanism that combines movement commands.
Example Sentence 1
When the pilot lowered the flaperons for landing, the mixer kept full aileron authority available for roll control.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight the mechanic checked that the mixer linkage moved smoothly when both flap and aileron inputs were applied.