The yawing moment in aerodynamics refers to the rotational force or torque around the vertical axis of an aircraft. It is induced by lateral forces, typically caused by asymmetries in lift or other aerodynamic effects. The yawing moment influences the aircraft’s rotation around its vertical axis, affecting its heading and stability. Mathematically, it is expressed as follows:
where:
- is the yawing moment in Newton-meters (N·m),
- is the yawing moment coefficient (dimensionless),
- is the reference area in square meters (m²),
- is the dynamic pressure in Pascals (Pa),
- is the characteristic length in meters (m).