What primarily causes adverse yaw during a standard turn?

• A. Differential drag between wings during aileron deflection.
• B. Engine torque.
• C. Propeller wash.
• D. Bank angle.

Answer: (A)

Adverse yaw in a standard turn comes from the unequal drag produced by the wings when you use the ailerons to roll. When you deflect the ailerons to roll into a turn, the wing with the downward-deflected aileron increases lift. That increase in lift brings with it more induced drag on that wing. The opposite wing has the aileron up, producing less lift and less drag. The result is a difference in drag between the two wings, which yaws the aircraft toward the outside of the turn (opposite the bank direction).

Engine torque and propeller wash can influence yaw in other situations, but they’re not the primary cause of adverse yaw during the standard roll into a turn. Bank angle affects how steep the turn is and how the forces balance, but the yaw you feel first comes from the drag difference caused by the ailerons. To keep the nose aligned with the turn, a steady, coordinated use of rudder helps counter this yaw during the roll in and roll out.