Definition
Grooved wheels used in an aircraft's flight control system to guide and change the direction of cables that connect the cockpit controls to the control surfaces. Pulleys allow the cables to run smoothly around corners and through the airframe without binding or excessive wear.
Plain English
Small grooved wheels that let control cables turn corners inside the aircraft so the controls move freely.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of aircraft flight control systems, especially cable-operated controls.
Derivation
Pulley comes through French from older words connected with a wheel or turning point. That fits the aviation use: the pulley is the turning point that guides a moving cable.
Why Pilots Care
Worn or misaligned pulleys can cause control binding, increased friction, or eventual cable failure, directly affecting aircraft handling and safety.
Analogy
A pulley in an aircraft works much like the small wheel at the top of a flagpole that lets the rope change direction and move smoothly.
Intuition Check
Do not think of pulleys as the cables themselves. The pulleys are the wheels or rollers that the cables pass over.
Example Sentence 1
When the pilot moved the control wheel left, the cables ran over a series of pulleys before reaching the ailerons.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight walk-around the pilot checks that all visible pulleys turn freely and show no signs of grooving or damage.