Yaw damper

For railcar yaw damper, see Yaw damper (railroad)

A yaw damper is a device used on many aircraft (usually jets and turboprops) to damp (reduce) the rolling and yawing oscillations due to Dutch roll mode^[1]. It involves yaw rate sensors and a processor that provides a signal to an actuator connected to the rudder. The use of the yaw damper helps to provide a better ride for passengers, and on some aircraft is a required piece of equipment to ensure that the aircraft stability remains within certification values.

The term is often mis-pronounced as a "yaw dampener".

References

1. ^ Yaw Dampers Explained

See also

• Flight dynamics