Control surface assemblies having a torque tube base are disclosed. In one
embodiment, a control surface assembly includes a control surface portion
and a base portion. The base portion has a hollow, shell-like base
portion coupled to a first end portion of the control surface portion,
and is adapted to be coupled to a supporting structure such that the
control surface portion projects outwardly from the supporting structure.
In one aspect, the base portion includes an elongated, closed section
portion adapted to be coupled to the supporting structure. In a further
aspect, the base portion includes an elongated, closed section portion
adapted to be coupled to the supporting structure, and a pair of tapered
end portions formed at opposing ends of the closed section portion.