Yaw Moment

Yaw Moment in aviation is a rotational force, or torque, that causes an aircraft to rotate around its vertical axis, also known as the yaw axis. This rotation results in the nose of the aircraft moving side-to-side. The primary control for yaw is the rudder, a hinged surface on the vertical stabilizer.

Yaw Axis

The yaw axis is an imaginary vertical line running through the aircraft's center of gravity, perpendicular to the wings and fuselage.

Yaw Moment

A yaw moment is a torque that tends to make the aircraft rotate around this vertical axis, causing the nose to swing from side to side.

Rudder

The rudder is the primary control surface for yaw, and it's located on the vertical stabilizer. By deflecting the rudder, the pilot can generate a side force that creates a yawing moment, causing the nose to move in the desired direction.

Relationship to Other Axes

Yaw is one of the three principal axes of rotation for an aircraft, along with roll (around the longitudinal axis) and pitch (around the lateral axis).

Importance

Yaw control is crucial for maintaining directional stability, especially during crosswinds, and for maneuvering the aircraft during turns and other flight maneuvers.