What is adverse yaw?

Adverse yaw occurs when an aircraft yaws in the opposite direction of a turn. This phenomenon is primarily due to differences in lift and drag between the wings during the roll. When the aircraft begins to turn, the aileron on the wing that is descending (the wing being raised) generates more lift but also increases drag, causing that wing to experience more resistance. Meanwhile, the wing that is being lowered (the opposite wing) experiences less lift and less drag.

As a result, the aircraft tends to yaw toward the wing with the increased drag, which is opposite the intended direction of the turn. This is why understanding adverse yaw is essential for pilots; they must learn how to manage it to maintain coordinated flight and counteract the unwanted yawing motion, often by using the rudder to align the aircraft correctly during turns. This characteristic makes it crucial for effective and safe maneuvers when the aircraft is in flight.