Definition
A one-piece horizontal tail surface that pivots as a single unit to provide both stability and pitch control, combining the functions of a fixed horizontal stabilizer and a separate elevator into a single moving surface.
Plain English
Instead of having a fixed tail surface with a small hinged elevator on the back, the entire horizontal tail moves together as one piece when the pilot pulls or pushes the control yoke.
Context Anchor
Seen in airplane control-system discussions and in landing discussions where nose control affects bouncing or porpoising after touchdown.
Derivation
The word is a blend of stabilizer and elevator, reflecting that the surface performs both jobs at once. Knowing this makes the function obvious from the name.
Why Pilots Care
Stabilator-equipped aircraft can exhibit different pitch sensitivity, which affects how porpoising is managed during landing.
Intuition Check
Do not read stabilator as just another name for a fixed stabilizer. A stabilator is the moving tail surface itself, and the whole surface pivots to control the nose.
Example Sentence 1
During the landing flare, the pilot used small, smooth inputs because the stabilator responded quickly to yoke pressure.
Example Sentence 2
Because the entire horizontal tail moves on this airplane, the stabilator provides strong pitch response even at low airspeeds.