The rudder is the primary component which turns the aircraft around the vertical axis. The rudder is installed on the rear of the vertical stabilizer (between FS1043.60 and FS1181.82) at four hinge points. The rudder is made of composite material.

The structure of the rudder control surface includes a spar assembly, seven rib assemblies (installed aft of the spar assembly), seven nose ribs (installed forward of the spar assembly), and skins with doublers. Drain openings are installed. Two static dischargers are installed on
the trailing edge of the rudder at WL215.00 and WL230.00. Six access panels (three on each side) are installed to give access to the hinges, the power control units (PCU's), and the position transducer.

The rudder control surface is mechanically controlled from the flight compartment. Subsequent to a mechanical input to the PCU's from the flight compartment, the rudder moves hydraulically to the point of selection.

The maximum travel of the rudder control surface to the left and the right at low speed is 37 degrees. At high speed the travel limit is 2.4 degrees.