Yaw damper

This article is about the aircraft flight control. For railcar yaw dampers, 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 known as the Dutch roll mode. It requires yaw rate sensors and a processor that provides a signal to an actuator connected to the rudder. The use of a yaw damper helps to provide a better ride for passengers, and on some aircraft the yaw damper is a required piece of equipment to ensure that the aircraft stability remains within certification values.

See also

• Flight dynamics