Ailerons are panels near the tip of the wing that move up and down, causing lift to increase (when they go down) or decrease (when they go up), allowing the pilot to roll the airplane to a desired bank angle or return from a bank to wings level.

What is the function of an aileron?

aileron, movable part of an airplane wing that is controlled by the pilot and permits him to roll the aircraft around its longitudinal axis. Ailerons are thus used primarily to bank the aircraft for turning.

How does an aileron work?

Ailerons work by moving the chord line. When the aileron, mounted on the wing's trailing edge, moves down, it changes the chord line. ... On the other side of the plane, the opposite aileron moves up. This change reduces the angle of attack on that wing, making less lift than the surrounding wing.