Definition
A flight control system in which movement of the control surface, caused by aerodynamic loads in flight, is transmitted back through the linkage and felt at the cockpit controls. The pilot moves the control to deflect the surface, and forces acting on the surface in turn move the control. Most light aircraft use reversible control systems built from cables, push-pull rods, bellcranks, and torque tubes with no hydraulic boost between the pilot and the surface.
Plain English
A control system where the link between the stick or yoke and the control surface works both ways. The pilot can move the surface, and forces on the surface can move the stick. Push the yoke and the elevator moves; push on the elevator from outside and the yoke moves too.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft systems and maintenance discussions, especially when comparing cable or pushrod controls with hydraulically assisted systems.
Derivation
Reversible comes from the Latin reversus, meaning 'turned back.' Here it describes a linkage where motion can travel in either direction — from pilot to surface, or from surface back to pilot.
Why Pilots Care
The feedback helps the pilot sense airspeed and avoid overstressing the airframe through excessive control input.
Analogy
It is like steering a bicycle: you turn the handlebars to move the front wheel, but bumps or pressure on the wheel can also be felt back through the handlebars.
Intuition Check
Reversible does not mean the system runs backward or can be reversed in flight. Here it means control forces can be transmitted in both directions between the pilot’s controls and the control surface.
Example Sentence 1
Most training aircraft use a reversible control system, so the student can feel control pressures build as airspeed increases.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight, the instructor explained that reversible systems give direct aerodynamic feedback unlike powered irreversible systems.