AFOQT Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

The control surface that is primarily responsible for helping to shift an aircraft left or right is the ailerons. Ailerons are located on the outer wings of the aircraft and function to control the roll. When one aileron is raised while the other is lowered, it creates differential lift, enabling the aircraft to roll to the left or right. This rolling motion is essential for making turns during flight.

While the rudder does play a role in directional control by influencing yaw, it is not primarily utilized for the left or right shift during turns; instead, it helps in coordinating turns and keeping the aircraft balanced. Flaps are used mainly to increase lift during takeoff and landing, while elevators control the pitch of the aircraft, affecting climb and descent rather than lateral movement. Therefore, the ailerons are the correct answer for the control surface that shifts the aircraft left or right.