What are the effects of adverse yaw during turns?

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During a turn, adverse yaw is a phenomenon that occurs because of the differential lift and drag produced by ailerons during roll. When a pilot initiates a turn, the aileron on the wing that is rising (the outer wing) goes up, decreasing its lift but also reducing drag. Conversely, the aileron on the wing that is descending (the inner wing) goes down, which increases lift but also increases drag.

As a result of this difference in drag, the aircraft tends to yaw towards the opposite direction of the turn. For instance, if the aircraft is turning left, adverse yaw will cause it to yaw to the right. This is primarily because the increased drag on the descending wing (inner wing) pulls the nose of the aircraft in the opposite direction of the desired turn.

Understanding this effect is crucial for pilots as it influences how they manage control inputs during a turn, necessitating a coordination of aileron and rudder to maintain a balanced flight path. Hence, the answer reflects the fundamental aerodynamic principle at play during turns.

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