tail plane

American  

noun

Aeronautics (chiefly British).

1. horizontal stabilizer.

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Etymology

Origin of tail plane

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

"I was a bit unlucky because my parachute when it opened was attached to the tail plane," Stirling said decades later.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2022

Civilian parachutes meant that he might free-fall away from the flight path before pulling the rip cord, and this signaled: A tail plane will be useless.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 1996

Moreover, the aircraft's efficiency is further improved by simultaneously rotating the tail plane to the same oblique position.

From Time Magazine Archive

Trapped in the raging eddies, the fighter brushed its tail plane against the Valkyrie's wingtip, then pitched up and rolled onto its back, shearing off one of the XB-70's twin rudders as it went.

From Time Magazine Archive

The tail plane must be attached with special care for its position.

From Opportunities in Aviation by Sweetser, Arthur