Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #51718
From: J H Webb <airmale@windstream.net>
Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Tru Trak Yaw Damper
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:35:07 -0400
To: <lml@lancaironline.net>
Doug,

  That yaw damper is largely useless and really adds to the friction in the rudder system. The autopilot servos add additional unnecessary friction to the pitch and roll axis too, but the autopilot is excellent and very adjustable. I really like the autopilot as it does a very good job, but the yaw damper is not very effective in fact so ineffective that it is really a bad investment (waste of money). Additionally the increased friction in the control system makes it slightly harder for a low time pilot to develop their skills.

Jack Webb


From: Douglas Brunner <douglasbrunner@earthlink.net>
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 11:26:03 AM
Subject: [LML] Re: Tru Trak Yaw Damper

Jack,
 
Many of us have the TruTrak autopilot.  It has a yaw damper as an option.
 
Do you know if the yaw damper option on the TruTrak has a high enough frequency to be of value?
 
D. Brunner
N241DB

  On another point a high frequency yaw damper (it must react quickly to be of value) makes a huge difference in the handling qualities of most aircraft in turbulence, but the autopilot servo used for a yaw damper, that I test flew in a Lancair was not capable of responding fast enough to make a significant difference. A yaw damper will not reduce the requirement for right rudder on takeoff, climb or descent. What it really reduces the tendency is the tendency to have yaw excursions and dutch rolls.
 
   I flew a test at Edwards where a high frequency yaw damper was installed in a Twin Comanche and the difference was very noticeable. So it does work in GA aircraft.
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