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What is the Tail Assembly?
The tail assembly is the rearmost component of a plane. It consists of a vertical fin and rudder, and a horizontal stabilizer and elevators. It acts as a stabilizer for the entire plane, minimizing any horizontal or vertical swing that the plane might have. It also is used in making pitch and yaw maneuvers. Tail Assembly Designs
There are multiple types of tail assembly designs, each used in different situations. Refer to figure 3.3.1 for illustrations of the different types of tail assemblies. These different types of tail assemblies include:
Aerodynamics Just like the wings of the plane, the stabilizer provides lift - but only a small amount. However, since the stabilizer provides lift from the rear of the plane, with a relatively high distance from the center of mass of the plane, its contribution to the lift acts to change the pitch of the plane. But, since the lift is relatively constant but small, it keeps the plane pointed forwards. Think of it this way; if the plan pitches forward, the stabilizer pitches forward with it, and in doing so, the stabilizer produces negative lift. It would seem that this would cause the plane to simply fall more rapidly, but since the stabilizer is far back from the center of mass, its contribution to the lift serves to rotate the plane backwards around its center of mass, righting it once again. The fin provides no lift to the plane - if anything, it simply provides drag. The fin, however, provides a different type of stabilizing force. As a plane yaws to the left or right, the fin receives a force from the wind at an angle, thereby pushing the fin back in the opposite direction. Imagine this: A plane turns to the left. The entire plane, including the fin, now feels the wind pushing from the right. This force on the fin acts to push the plane's tail back to the left, rotating the plane back to equilibrium, back straight into the wind. 
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