What is a stabilator?

• A. A fixed horizontal stabilizer with separate elevator.
• B. A movable vertical tail fin.
• C. The stabilator
• D. A wing-mounted flap system.

Answer: (C)

A stabilator is an all-moving horizontal tail surface. Instead of a fixed horizontal stabilizer with a separate elevator, the entire tailplane pivots to control pitch, giving direct and often greater pitch authority. This means pushing or pulling the control changes the angle of the whole tail surface, not just a movable elevator on the trailing edge.

So the description that matches this concept is the one that refers to the stabilator itself. The other options describe a conventional fixed stabilizer with an elevator, a movable vertical tail fin (which is the rudder/vertical stabilizer), and a wing-mounted flap system (which is unrelated to the tail).