Yaw Damper

Yaw Damper is an automatic flight control system that senses yaw rate and commands small rudder deflections to dampen yaw oscillations — particularly the coupling of yaw and roll known as Dutch roll. Most swept-wing aircraft are susceptible to Dutch roll and require yaw damper operation.

• Required for flight at high altitudes in most swept-wing jets
• Operates continuously without pilot input
• Yaw damper failure may require speed restrictions and lower cruise altitude
• Works through the rudder with authority limited to a few degrees
• Dutch roll: a coupled oscillation where the nose yaws left-right while the wings roll