noun
Technical term for the control surface on an aircraft or ship used to steer. In aviation, specifically the vertical control surface on the tail.
パイロットは方向舵を使って機首の向きを変えた。
The pilot used the rudder to change the aircraft's heading.
方向舵の故障が事故の原因と見られている。
A rudder malfunction is believed to be the cause of the accident.
Loanword from English 'rudder', commonly used in aviation and engineering contexts. 方向舵 is the native Japanese technical term.
Compound of 方向 (ほうこう, 'direction') and 舵 (だ, 'rudder'). A straightforward technical term.