<P> A yoke, alternatively known as a control wheel is a device used for piloting some fixed - wing aircraft . </P> <P> The pilot uses the yoke to control the attitude of the plane, usually in both pitch and roll . Rotating the control wheel controls the ailerons and the roll axis . Fore and aft movement of the control column controls the elevator and the pitch axis . When the yoke is pulled back the nose of the aircraft rises . When the yoke is pushed forward the nose is lowered . When the yoke is turned left the plane rolls to the left and when it is turned to the right the plane rolls to the right . </P>

What's the steering wheel on a plane called