What are the primary flight controls used in an aircraft?

The primary flight controls in an aircraft are essential for maneuvering and stabilizing the aircraft during flight. The correct answer identifies the elevator, rudder, and ailerons as these critical controls.

The elevator is responsible for controlling the pitch of the aircraft, allowing the pilot to raise or lower the nose. This is vital for climbing or descending. The rudder controls the yaw, which helps the aircraft turn left or right around its vertical axis. Lastly, the ailerons are used to control roll, enabling the aircraft to bank during turns.

Understanding this configuration is fundamental, as it highlights how pilots maintain control over the aircraft’s orientation and trajectory in three-dimensional space. The other choices mentioned do not comprise the primary flight controls. Flaps and slats, for example, are secondary controls that improve lift during takeoff and landing but do not directly control attitude. Trim systems assist in stabilizing the aircraft but do not serve as primary controls for maneuvering. Throttle and propeller settings relate to power management rather than direct control of the aircraft's flight path.