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Flight control surfaces are one of the most important parts of a typical aircraft, allowing for pilots to have more control over the aerodynamic forces acting upon surfaces. While many areas that generate lift are fixed, flight control surfaces are adjustable areas that are managed by the pilot through controls present in the cockpit. Coming in numerous forms, flight control surfaces permit a pilot to govern the speed or trajectory of the aircraft as they adjust each surface.

Though it seems inherent to include human factors in cockpit design, this notion has changed considerably since--. Today’s pilot is familiar with the presence of adjustable seats, reach envelopes, control locations, and other crucial amenities within a cockpit. This was not, however, always the case. From the U.S. Air Force to commercial jets, aircraft design was not always based on human safety and comfort.