Got Rudder?

During checkouts of rated pilots, I usually ask them to explain why the rudder is on the airplane. More than half of rated pilots will tell me the rudder helps turn the aircraft, which is not only wrong but is a very dangerous belief. Less than half of pilots will correctly identify the main purpose of the rudder, to correct for adverse yaw. By failing to correctly understanding the rudders purpose, these pilots exhibit a failure in our training system. Moreover, by misusing the airplanes primary controls, they arent flying it properly or efficiently. This realization has many implications-an indictment of our training systems among them-but the dangers of misusing the rudder also must be acknowledged. Lets discuss the rudders proper role, plus the effects and dangers of misusing primary controls.

Key Takeaways:

• Many pilots incorrectly believe the rudder helps turn the aircraft; its true primary purpose is to counteract "adverse yaw" during turns.
• Adverse yaw is an undesirable yawing motion, opposite the intended turn direction, caused by the differential drag created when ailerons are used to roll the aircraft.
• Improperly using the rudder to "speed up" a banked turn, especially at low speeds or high bank angles, is extremely dangerous and can lead to an accelerated stall and potentially fatal spin.

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