When we make a turn in flight, why do we use the rudder?
We all know from the books the answer is to “correct for adverse yaw” — which is just a fancy way of saying to overcome drag from the aileron.
Coordinated Turns
Key Takeaways:
- The rudder's primary role in a turn is to correct for "adverse yaw" (drag from ailerons) and maintain coordinated flight, ensuring the ball on the turn coordinator remains centered.
- When initiating or rolling out of a turn, the rudder should be applied first, followed by the aileron and elevator, for a smooth and coordinated maneuver.
- The amount of rudder needed varies significantly by aircraft type (e.g., more in a Piper Cub, less in a Cessna Skyhawk), and pilots should learn to "feel" for coordinated flight rather than exclusively relying on instruments.
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