The feel of the aircraft control is from

• A. The difference between pitot and static pressure
• B. Variation in air density
• C. Temperature of the air
• D. Humidity in the cabin

Answer: (A)

Control feel comes from the aerodynamic loads on the control surfaces, which depend on dynamic pressure. Dynamic pressure is the difference between total pressure (pitot pressure) and ambient static pressure. As you fly faster, this pressure difference increases, raising the forces on the elevator, ailerons, and other control surfaces, so the control feel becomes heavier and you get more tactile feedback through the controls. The other factors—air density, temperature, or humidity—can influence the magnitude of the forces indirectly, but the direct source of the control feel is the pitot-static pressure difference.