Definition
A control input in which the pilot moves the control yoke or stick aft, deflecting the elevator's trailing edge upward. This decreases the tail's lift, causing the tail to lower and the nose to rise, which increases the airplane's pitch attitude and angle of attack.
Plain English
Pulling back on the yoke or stick to raise the airplane's nose.
Context Anchor
You will see this term when reading about pitch control, takeoffs, landings, slow flight, stalls, and energy management.
Derivation
Elevator comes from a word meaning “to lift” or “raise.” On an airplane, the elevator was named because it helps raise or lower the nose. In “up-elevator,” up describes the elevator’s trailing edge moving upward, not a guarantee that the airplane itself will go upward.
Why Pilots Care
Correct timing and amount of up-elevator determine whether the airplane climbs, maintains altitude, or stalls during maneuvers.
Grounding Statement
When you pull back on the yoke or stick in many airplanes, you are commanding up-elevator and the nose tends to rise.
Intuition Check
Do not read “up-elevator” as “the airplane goes up.” It means the elevator surface moves up and the nose tends to pitch up; the airplane’s actual path still depends on airspeed, power, and lift.
Example Sentence 1
During the landing flare, the pilot smoothly applies up-elevator to slow the descent and touch down on the main wheels.
Example Sentence 2
Excessive up-elevator in a turn can increase angle of attack and lead to an accelerated stall.