First Flights with Neil Armstrong

S03E04 Tail First Flying - the Canard

Canards are the small wing surfaces located at the front of an airplane that assist in controlling its ascent and descent. This concept dates back to the early days of aviation, with the Wright brothers utilizing canards in their initial aircraft designs. However, after World War I, their usage became infrequent until advancements in computer technology enabled the precise control necessary to make this design effective once again.