Which document would you use to find the control surface movement for a specified airplane?

• A. The maintenance manual.
• B. The flight manual.
• C. The engine data sheet.
• D. The TCDS for that airplane.

Answer: (D)

Control surface movement is defined by the airplane’s certified design and is published in the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) for that model. The TCDS lists the approved travel limits (deflection angles) for each control surface and any conditions or configurations that apply to that variant. This makes it the authoritative reference for what the surfaces are allowed to do in flight. The maintenance manual covers servicing, inspections, and procedures, not the official travel limits. The flight manual provides operating procedures and performance data, but not the legally approved control surface deflections. The engine data sheet focuses on engine specifications and performance, not control geometry.