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Yoke (aeronautics)
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<h2 id="styles">Styles</h2> <p>Yokes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the most common being of a "U" or "W" design. Some aircraft use a "ram's horn" style yoke, shaped like an "M", such as <a href="/facts/Embraer/JqeR8dm5">Embraer</a> aircraft and the <a href="/facts/Concorde/TAMElD6g">Concorde</a>. There are some rarer exotic or archaic styles, such as circular or semi-circular designs, much like a <a href="/facts/Steering_wheel/yf12zWIC">steering wheel</a>. </p><p>In larger aircraft they are usually on a post protruding vertically from the floor, referred to as a control column. In most other planes, they are pivot point mounted on a horizontal tube that comes out of the instrument panel. </p><p>In the case of the <a href="/facts/Cirrus_SR20/PPxcxAp9">Cirrus SR20</a> and <a href="/facts/Cirrus_SR22/VefcsaX4">Cirrus SR22</a>, although the control looks like a <a href="/facts/Side_stick/mjoT8lmn">side stick</a>, it works like a yoke handle (referred to in the industry as a "side yoke").<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> The <a href="/facts/Cessna_162_Skycatcher/QW1sDBPo">Cessna 162</a> uses a similar device.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="advantages-and-disadvantages">Advantages and disadvantages</h2> <p><a href="/facts/Side-stick/mjoT8lmn">Side-sticks</a> and <a href="/facts/Center_stick/UkrS95xM">centre-sticks</a> are better for making rapid control inputs and dealing with high <a href="/facts/G-force/F5j4of9l">g-forces</a>, hence their use in military, sport, and aerobatic aircraft. However, yokes are less sensitive (i.e., more precise) due to a larger range of motion and provide more visual feedback to the pilot.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p><p>Most yokes are connected and will both move together, thus providing instant indication to the other pilot when one makes a control input. This is in contrast to some fly-by-wire control sticks that allow each pilot to send different, and sometimes greatly conflicting, inputs. Competing inputs are signaled on Airbus craft. </p><p>Yokes take up more room than side-sticks in the cockpit and may even obscure some instruments; by comparison, side-sticks have minimal cockpit intrusion, allowing the inclusion of retractable tray-tables and making it easier to enter/leave small cockpits.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p><p>A yoke, unlike a side-stick, may be used comfortably with either hand. This can be useful if one needs to write or manipulate other controls in the cockpit. This advantage is shared with the center-stick.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="ancillary-functions">Ancillary functions</h2> <p>The yoke often incorporates other key functions such as housing thumb or finger buttons to enable the <a href="/facts/Airband/7XfgGWkl">radio</a> microphone, disengage the <a href="/facts/Autopilot/cypCha01">autopilot</a>, and <a href="/facts/Trim_(aircraft)/4uBmYcHf">trim</a> the aircraft. In addition, there may be a clipboard, checklist, or <a href="/facts/Chronometer_watch/bfS1BTon">chronometer</a> located in the yoke's center.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="alternative-control-systems">Alternative control systems</h2> <p>Yokes are not used on all aircraft. <a href="/facts/Airship/8X3TSBdx">Airships</a> use a <a href="/facts/Ship%27s_wheel/L8uk5mFv">ship's wheel</a>, <a href="/facts/Helicopter/chQF7H55">helicopters</a> use a <a href="/facts/Helicopter_flight_controls/TyDgVhbu">cyclic</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> and the majority of military <a href="/facts/Fighter_aircraft/NuIvaGJg">fighter aircraft</a> use a <a href="/facts/Centre_stick/UkrS95xM">center</a> or <a href="/facts/Side-stick/mjoT8lmn">side-stick</a>. Some light aircraft use a stick due to pilot preference. The latest Airbus family of passenger jets use a side-stick, similar to a <a href="/facts/Joystick/cY64dGpb">joystick</a>, to actuate control surfaces.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> </p><p>There are also <a href="/facts/Computer/SQe1aK05">computer</a> <a href="/facts/Input_device/TXYLUkux">input devices</a> designed to simulate a yoke, intended for <a href="/facts/Flight_simulator/IdLNhr1V">flight simulators</a>. </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Index_of_aviation_articles/n9ggqxDH">Index of aviation articles</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Aircraft_flight_control_system/4uBmYcHf">Aircraft flight control system</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/HOTAS/ks5GaEPe">HOTAS</a>, an acronym for hands on throttle-and-stick</li> <li><a href="/facts/Rudder_pedals/AMR2QX8z">Rudder pedals</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Crane, Dale: Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition, page 563. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ISBN 1-56027-287-2. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Crane, Dale: Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition, page 563. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ISBN 1-56027-287-2. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"10 Ways that the SR22 Changed Flying". Flying. Retrieved 13 March 2018. <a href="https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/pistons/10-ways-sr22-changed-flying?page=0,0" target="_blank">https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/pistons/10-ways-sr22-changed-flying?page=0,0</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Detailed Comparison of the Cessna TTx and Cirrus SR22T G5 | High Performance Aviation, LLC". High Performance Aviation. Retrieved 13 March 2018. <a href="https://www.flyhpa.com/2016/02/detailed-comparison-of-the-cessna-ttx-and-cirrus-sr22t-g5/" target="_blank">https://www.flyhpa.com/2016/02/detailed-comparison-of-the-cessna-ttx-and-cirrus-sr22t-g5/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Flight Test: G5 Cirrus SR22T". Pilot. Retrieved 13 March 2018. <a href="http://www.pilotweb.aero/features/flight-tests/flight-test-g5-cirrus-sr22t-1-4858764" target="_blank">http://www.pilotweb.aero/features/flight-tests/flight-test-g5-cirrus-sr22t-1-4858764</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Larson, George C. "A Flight In A Skycatcher". Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved 19 May 2018. <a href="https://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/flight-skycatcher-180952404/" target="_blank">https://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/flight-skycatcher-180952404/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Aircraft Spotlight: The Cessna 162 Skycatcher - A Modern, Cost Effective Trainer". www.aopa.org. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2018. <a href="https://www.aopa.org/community/flying-clubs/flying-club-newsletter/2017/november/19/aircraft-spotlight" target="_blank">https://www.aopa.org/community/flying-clubs/flying-club-newsletter/2017/november/19/aircraft-spotlight</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Mc Clellan, J. Mac (May 2008). "New Gulfstream, p. 52". Flying Magazine. 135 (5): 52–57. Retrieved 7 July 2012. ... sidesticks don't provide visual feedback and actually don't move much at all as they respond to the pressure applied by the human pilot ... in the G650 when you grab the yoke and move it, the one on the other side will respond just as it does on a conventional airplane. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=XtHuMfT0BRQC" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=XtHuMfT0BRQC</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Learning To Fly In A Cirrus SR22". planeandpilotmag.com. <a href="http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/proficiency/flight-training/learning-to-fly-in-a-cirrus-sr22.html" target="_blank">http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/proficiency/flight-training/learning-to-fly-in-a-cirrus-sr22.html</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Gear Up: One Big Airplane Training in US Airways' newest A330 simulator". flyingmag.com. <a href="http://www.flyingmag.com/pilot-technique/turbine-flying/gear-one-big-airplane" target="_blank">http://www.flyingmag.com/pilot-technique/turbine-flying/gear-one-big-airplane</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Mc Clellan, J. Mac (May 2008). "New Gulfstream, p. 52". Flying Magazine. 135 (5): 52–57. Retrieved 7 July 2012. ... sidesticks don't provide visual feedback and actually don't move much at all as they respond to the pressure applied by the human pilot ... in the G650 when you grab the yoke and move it, the one on the other side will respond just as it does on a conventional airplane. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=XtHuMfT0BRQC" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=XtHuMfT0BRQC</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Picture of the Canadair CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet CRJ-200ER aircraft <a href="http://www.airliners.net/photo/Delta-Connection-(ASA/Canadair-CL-600-2B19-Regional/0133942/L/" target="_blank">http://www.airliners.net/photo/Delta-Connection-(ASA/Canadair-CL-600-2B19-Regional/0133942/L/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Picture of the Lockheed C-130H Hercules (L-382) aircraft <a href="http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/Lockheed-C-130H-Hercules/1488750/L/" target="_blank">http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/Lockheed-C-130H-Hercules/1488750/L/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Picture of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 aircraft <a href="http://www.airliners.net/photo/Sun-Air/McDonnell-Douglas-DC-9-32/0515210/L/" target="_blank">http://www.airliners.net/photo/Sun-Air/McDonnell-Douglas-DC-9-32/0515210/L/</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Picture of the Beech 58 Baron aircraft <a href="http://www.airliners.net/photo/Beech-58-Baron/1322806/L/" target="_blank">http://www.airliners.net/photo/Beech-58-Baron/1322806/L/</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>How Helicopters Work <a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/helicopter6.htm" target="_blank">http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/helicopter6.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"Fly-by-wire - A CIVIL AVIATION FIRST". Airbus / Innovation / Proven concepts / In design / Fly-by-wire. Airbus. Retrieved 6 July 2012. <a href="http://www.airbus.com/innovation/proven-concepts/in-design/fly-by-wire/" target="_blank">http://www.airbus.com/innovation/proven-concepts/in-design/fly-by-wire/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Flying the Airbus side stick - the one with the fastest thumb wins! <a href="http://www.askcaptainlim.com/flying-the-plane-flying-90/164-flying-the-airbus-side-stick-the-one-with-the-fastest-thumb-wins.html" target="_blank">http://www.askcaptainlim.com/flying-the-plane-flying-90/164-flying-the-airbus-side-stick-the-one-with-the-fastest-thumb-wins.html</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>