Some days ago I was walking through the airport and saw an MD-80 at the gate.

One thing I noticed was the elevator deflection.

One part (the right side) was deflected with a steep angle and the other (the left side) was deflected slightly lower?

Is there a reason for this split?

Assuming the MD80 elevator system is the same as the Douglas/Boeing 717 (same pedigree, the venerable DC9) the elevators are deflected in flight by servo tabs, therefore able to deflect at different angles when not in flight and the breeze is not uniform.

To further the good Captain's reply, there is no connection between the left and right elevators. Since they are air driven (no hydralics except a nose down accumulator for when you're having a really bad day) they flop in the breeze.

thank you very much the both of you for your replies!

Long live the MADDOG!!!

Give it a break, its 30 years old....

Its just tired...:zzz: