The empennage (/ˌɑːmpɨˈnɑːʒ/ or /ˈɛmpɨnɪdʒ/),[1][2] also known as the tail or tail assembly, of most aircraft[1][2] gives stability to the aircraft, in a similar way to the feathers on an arrow;[3] the term derives from the French for this.[4] Most aircraft feature an empennage incorporating vertical and horizontal stabilising surfaces which stabilise the flight dynamics of yaw and pitch,[1][2] as well as housing control surfaces.