During downwind turns, are we more or less susceptible to uncommanded yaw?

• A. More
• B. Less
• C. About the same
• D. Not susceptible at all

Answer: (A)

Yaw control in a helicopter rests on the tail rotor’s ability to produce anti-torque thrust, and that effectiveness is influenced by the wind relative to the rotor. In a downwind turn, you’re moving with the wind, which changes how much tail-rotor thrust you get for a given pedal input. The tail rotor has less reliable inflow and can become less effective, so small disturbances or gusts are less quickly damped. At the same time, the main rotor torque tends to be higher as you maintain the turn, increasing anti-torque demand. All of this means yaw can develop more readily and be harder to arrest, making you more susceptible to uncommanded yaw during downwind turns.