Plain English Meaning

Small grooved wheels that let control cables turn corners inside the aircraft so the controls move freely.

Full 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.

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 the use: the pulley is the turning point that guides a moving cable.