What are elevators used for in aviation?

Elevators are crucial components in aviation, primarily designed to control the pitch of the aircraft. By adjusting the angle of the elevators, the pilot can effectively move the nose of the airplane up or down. This change in pitch allows the aircraft to ascend or descend during flight, making elevators fundamental for managing vertical movement.

When the pilots pull back on the control yoke or stick, the elevators deflect upward, causing the tail of the aircraft to lower and the nose to rise, leading to an increase in altitude. Conversely, pushing the control forward causes the elevators to deflect downward, lowering the nose and inducing a descent.

The other options, while related to aircraft control, do not accurately describe the function of elevators. Yaw control pertains to a different axis and is managed by the rudder; reducing control pressures is typically a feature of control systems or design but not a primary function of elevators; maintaining altitude involves a combination of various flight controls and is not solely the responsibility of the elevators.