In a powered flight control system, what provides the pilot with tactile feedback to control forces?

• A. Artificial Feel
• B. Auto trim
• C. Flight envelope protection
• D. Power assist

Answer: (A)

Tactile feedback in a powered flight control system comes from artificial feel. This mechanism translates aerodynamic loads into feel in the cockpit so the pilot senses resistance and force as the controls move. The stick or yoke becomes heavier when the aircraft experiences higher aerodynamic loads and easier to move when loads are lighter, giving the pilot a direct sense of how the aircraft would respond in flight. This feedback is essential for precise, coordinated control, especially in systems where control inputs are managed electronically or hydraulically.

Auto trim adjusts surfaces automatically to maintain a desired attitude, but it doesn’t provide the user with physical feedback about the current control loads. Flight envelope protection limits maneuvers to keep the aircraft within safe parameters, which is about safety constraints rather than tactile sensation. Power assist may reduce the effort needed to move the controls, but tactile feedback that mirrors aerodynamic forces specifically comes from artificial feel.