What is the effect of lowering the elevator on the aircraft's flight path?

Lowering the elevator, which is the control surface located on the tail of the aircraft, primarily alters the angle of attack of the tail and consequently affects the pitch of the aircraft. When the elevator is lowered, it causes the aircraft's tail to move downward, which tilts the nose of the aircraft upward. This results in a decrease in the aircraft's angle of attack, and if the change in control surface is significant enough, the increased lift on the wings can ultimately lead to a climb; however, beyond a certain point, the aircraft may lose lift and alter its trajectory towards a descent.

In a practical sense, while lowering the elevator initially tries to promote climbing, if sustained or uncontrolled, it can lead to a condition where the lift generated is not sufficient to maintain altitude, causing the aircraft to lose altitude or dive. This helps define the crucial relationship between elevator position and the aircraft's vertical flight path.