Definition
The two movable control surfaces on a V-tail (Vee-tail) empennage that combine the functions of a conventional rudder and elevators. When both surfaces move together in the same direction, they act as elevators to control pitch; when they move in opposite directions, they act as a rudder to control yaw. They are operated through a mixing linkage that blends the pilot's control wheel and rudder pedal inputs.
Plain English
On an aircraft with a V-shaped tail instead of the usual upright fin and horizontal stabilizer, the two angled tail surfaces each have a moving flap. These flaps work together to do the job that a separate rudder and elevators would normally do on a conventional tail.
Context Anchor
Seen on V-tail aircraft during flight control inspections, maintenance, preflight checks, and discussions of how the aircraft is controlled.
Derivation
A blended word combining 'rudder' and 'elevator' — reflecting that a single surface performs both jobs depending on how the two sides move relative to each other.
Why Pilots Care
Correct rigging ensures coordinated yaw and pitch control; misalignment affects handling and safety.
Intuition Check
Do not think of ruddervators as extra surfaces added to a normal tail. On a V-tail aircraft, they combine the jobs normally handled by separate rudder and elevator surfaces.
Example Sentence 1
After replacing the cables, the technician carefully checked that the ruddervators moved together for pitch input and oppositely for rudder input.
Example Sentence 2
On a V-tail aircraft the pilot moves the ruddervators together for pitch and differentially for yaw.