What does the term "rigging adjustment" refer to?

The term "rigging adjustment" specifically refers to modifications made to ensure that control surfaces, such as ailerons, elevators, and rudders, respond properly and are correctly positioned. In aviation, achieving the correct rigging is crucial for safe flight operations, as it directly affects the aircraft's control responsiveness and stability during various phases of flight. This involves adjusting the linkages and cables that connect the flight controls to their respective surfaces to ensure they move as intended when the pilot inputs commands.

This term does not encompass other activities like calibrating instruments, which pertains to ensuring that measuring devices accurately represent conditions. Likewise, cleaning aircraft surfaces focuses on maintenance rather than the functional adjustments needed for control surfaces. Replacing old components involves parts substitution but does not specifically refer to the fine-tuning necessary for optimal control surface operation. Therefore, "rigging adjustment" is distinctly concerned with ensuring that all flight control surfaces are effectively aligned and functioning in harmony with the pilot's inputs.