Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted
Aircraft
Upon climbing out of GSP we were given a heading to turn to. When I banked the airplane I noticed the flight controls felt heavier than normal in roll. I checked the hydraulics page and every indication was normal along with no caution or warning messages. We were preceding to a fix just a few miles ahead so I hand flew the turn to see if the controls still felt abnormally heavy in which they did. I then tried some variations in pitch and got the same feedback in that axis. The aircraft was taking 2 to 3 times the normal input force. With the autopilot coupled I had the aileron caution icon flashing when the airplane banked left or right. The airplane was in proper trim; confirmed with the AP disconnected. I had the FO (First Officer) bring up Maintenance Control in comm 2. I was advised that the aircraft had no prior history of a heavy feel or stiff controls. I decided that a diversion due to abnormal flight controls was necessary. The QRH non-message index did not lead to a heavy or sluggish control solution. The airplane was flying stable with no degradation to the flight control feedback. ZZZ was at our 12 o'clock position and within close range so that became our diversion airport. We contacted dispatch via ACARS to notify them of the diversion and also Maintenance Control. Descent; approach and landing were routine besides the heavy control inputs. Flight diversion due to abnormal flight controls.
CRJ Captain reported diverting due to abnormal flight controls.