Yoke (aeronautics)

Small to medium-size aircraft, usually limited to propeller-driven, feature a mechanical system whereby the yoke is connected directly to the control surfaces with cables and rods.

[5][6] Side-sticks and centre-sticks are better for making rapid control inputs and dealing with high g-forces, 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.

[7] The yoke often incorporates other key functions such as housing thumb or finger buttons to enable the radio microphone, disengage the autopilot, and trim the aircraft.

Airships use a ship's wheel, helicopters use a cyclic,[14] and the majority of military fighter aircraft use a center or side-stick.

The latest Airbus family of passenger jets use a side-stick, similar to a joystick, to actuate control surfaces.