Plain English Meaning

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.

Full 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.

Context Anchor

Seen in airplane control-system discussions and in landing discussions where nose control affects bouncing or porpoising after .