Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What is the primary effect of adverse yaw during turns?

1. Aircraft climbs unexpectedly

2. Aircraft rolls too quickly

3. Aircraft experiences a counterintuitive turn

The correct answer is: Aircraft experiences a counterintuitive turn

Adverse yaw occurs during a turn when the aerodynamic forces acting on the wings cause the aircraft to yaw in the opposite direction of the intended turn. This phenomenon is primarily due to the differential lift and drag produced by the wings. When the pilot rolls the aircraft into a turn, the aileron on the rising wing goes up, reducing lift and drag on that wing. Conversely, the aileron on the descending wing goes down, increasing lift and drag, which generates a yawing motion toward the descending wing—opposite the direction of the turn. As a result, the aircraft may not turn in the direction that the pilot expects, leading to a counterintuitive turn where the nose of the aircraft tends to yaw away from the direction of the intended turn. This highlights the importance of using coordinated flight techniques, such as managing the rudder input, to counteract adverse yaw and maintain a smooth and controlled turn. Understanding this effect is crucial for pilots to anticipate and compensate for it while maneuvering the aircraft.