What are ailerons primarily used for in flight control?

Ailerons are primarily used for controlling roll, which is the rotational movement of the aircraft around its longitudinal axis. When the pilot moves the control yoke or stick left or right, the ailerons adjust in opposite directions; one aileron goes up while the other goes down. This differential movement creates a change in lift on each wing. The wing with the aileron that deflects upwards generates less lift, while the wing with the aileron that deflects downwards produces more lift. As a result, the aircraft rolls towards the wing with the upward-deflected aileron.

Understanding the role of ailerons is crucial for pilots, especially during maneuvers such as turns, where precise control of the aircraft's roll is essential for maintaining the desired flight path.