Which statement correctly describes an adjustable stabilizer?

• A. It fixes wing incidence to maximize lift
• B. It can be adjusted in flight to trim the airplane at a given airspeed
• C. It is fixed and cannot be moved in flight
• D. It automatically adjusts to maintain altitude

Answer: (B)

An adjustable stabilizer is a trimming device on the horizontal tail that lets you change the stabilizer angle to balance the airplane’s pitch at a specific airspeed. By adjusting this angle, you create just enough nose-up or nose-down moment so the aircraft maintains the desired attitude without constant back pressure on the controls. This is why the statement that it can be adjusted in flight to trim the airplane at a given airspeed is the best description. It isn’t about fixing wing incidence, it isn’t fixed and unmovable, and it isn’t an automatic altitude-holding system—those aspects don’t describe how an adjustable stabilizer functions.