What is the phenomenon known as adverse yaw?

Adverse yaw is a phenomenon that occurs during the coordination of a turn in an aircraft. When a pilot initiates a turn, the aileron on the wing that is going up (the rising wing) increases the lift and consequently the drag on that wing. Meanwhile, the aileron on the opposite wing (the descending wing) decreases both lift and drag. This differential drag causes the aircraft to yaw or pivot in the opposite direction of the intended turn.

For instance, if a pilot turns left, the left aileron goes up and the right aileron goes down. The left wing experiences more drag due to the increased lift, which results in a tendency for the aircraft to yaw to the right, away from the turn. Understanding this concept is critical for pilots because they must actively counteract adverse yaw with rudder inputs to maintain coordinated flight during turns.

This phenomenon is a critical aspect of aircraft handling and highlights the importance of coordination between ailerons and rudder during turns. Recognizing adverse yaw helps pilots manage their aircraft's behavior more effectively, maintaining control and safety during maneuvers.