What are control tabs primarily used for?

Control tabs are primarily used to assist in manual control reversion. They are small movable surfaces located on flight control surfaces, such as ailerons and elevators. Their primary function is to provide feedback to the pilot and to reduce the force required to move the control surfaces, especially in scenarios where the aircraft might revert to manual control.

In circumstances where power or automatic systems fail, control tabs help to stabilize the aircraft and ensure that the pilot can maintain control more easily. By moving in the opposite direction of the primary control surface, they create a moment that reduces control force needed by the pilot, thus making manual flight management more manageable during critical situations.

While control tabs can have secondary benefits related to aerodynamic performance or stability, these are not their primary purposes. Their design is not focused on enhancing control surface area or improving overall aerodynamic performance directly but rather on improving pilot handling characteristics during manual flight.