horizontal stabilizer

American  

noun

Aeronautics.

1. the horizontal surface, usually fixed, of an aircraft empennage, to which the elevator is hinged.

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horizontal stabilizer British  

noun

1. the US name for tailplane

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Example Sentences

It subsequently became apparent that the pitch-up problem could also occur at low airspeeds, which would require that the horizontal stabilizer be adjusted farther to achieve a similar effect.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2024

The strike damaged the plane’s left horizontal stabilizer.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2023

The problem, involving miniscule gaps in a fitting on the horizontal stabilizer located at the base of the 787's tail, must be fixed before Boeing can hand over planes to customers.

From Reuters • Jun. 13, 2023

But later, when the spaceship was rolled into the hangar, Mr. Ericson saw something horrible: a gap along the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer, or h-stab, which controls the vehicle at supersonic speeds.

From New York Times • May 1, 2021

The agency is also ordering the rerouting of wiring to prevent a potential “short circuit” in a horizontal stabilizer critical for safe flight.

From Washington Post • Nov. 18, 2020