Yoke (aircraft)

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A yoke, alternatively known as control wheel, is a device used for piloting in most fixed-wing aircraft, analogous to a steering wheel in an automobile.

The aviator uses the yoke to control the attitude of the plane, usually in both pitch and roll. Rotating the wheel on the yoke rolls the aircraft and pulling or pushing the yoke pitches the aircraft in a natural sense. There are also computer input devices designed to simulate a yoke, intended for flight simulators. Yokes in most larger aircraft are linked to stick shakers which are designed to help indicate and recover from stalling conditions.

As the yoke is a primary device used by pilots, it can also incorporate other essential functions. Typical examples include a button to enable the radio microphone and holding the flight plan.

The control stick found on modern fighter aircraft is not the same as a yoke. The control stick is a roughly vertical rod that is pushed forward and aft for pitch control of the aircraft and left and right for roll control.

The equivalent control in a helicopter is the cyclic.