Plain English Meaning

A device that automatically nudges the rudder to keep the airplane from wagging its tail side to side.

Full Definition

An automatic flight control system component that senses unwanted yawing motion and applies small, rapid rudder inputs to counteract it, smoothing flight and suppressing Dutch roll oscillations.

Context Anchor

Seen in aircraft systems descriptions, cockpit switch labels, autopilot-related procedures, and checklists for airplanes equipped with a yaw damper.

Derivation

‘Yaw’ describes the side-to-side rotation of the nose around the . ‘Damper’ comes from ‘damp,’ meaning to reduce or absorb a motion or . Together: a device that absorbs unwanted yaw movement.