What axis does pitch occur through in an aircraft?

Pitch refers to the rotation of an aircraft around its lateral axis, which runs from wingtip to wingtip. This movement is controlled primarily by the elevators located on the tail of the aircraft. When these control surfaces move, they change the airflow over the tail, causing the aircraft to rotate around this lateral axis.

This understanding of pitch as a movement about the lateral axis is fundamental in flight dynamics. The aircraft raises or lowers its nose, which affects the angle of attack and thus impacts performance characteristics such as lift and drag, and ultimately, the flight path of the aircraft.

In contrast, the longitudinal axis runs from the nose to the tail and is responsible for roll movements, while the vertical axis, located through the center of gravity, is associated with yawing motions. The normal axis mentioned does not conform to standard definitions in aerodynamics and does not represent a clear rotational pivot point in typical aircraft maneuvers.