For the EMB-145 Drivers

cmhumphr

Well-Known Member
So I cockpit jumpseat on ExpressJet quite often and started noticing that part of the landing checklist is turning the yaw damper off. Is there a reason for this? Why wouldn't you leave it on in case you had an engine failure on approach/short final?
 
We're unable to make any rudder inputs with the YD engaged. Landing with it on = no control on runway or in xwinds.
 
I cant speak for the 145, but in the Hawkers, C560, C550, C650 i flew/fly we always get the YD off prior to landing. It fights rudder input when on the ground and when you are single engine it fights the yawing motion, and prevents rudder input.
 
We're unable to make any rudder inputs with the YD engaged. Landing with it on = no control on runway or in xwinds.

Got it. It was just weird seeing that. If we turned off the yaw damper on landing, the whole plane would have lost their lunch. :D
 
Naw, IIRC, the YD can be MEL'd and you can still go to the certified ceiling. Just put a touch of pressure on opposite rudder/ail inputs (plane still coordinated though), it flies nice and straight (great for oei in sim too)
 
We're unable to make any rudder inputs with the YD engaged. Landing with it on = no control on runway or in xwinds.

You can still make inputs, they are just not as effective and require more pressure for the same result as compared with the YD off.
 
I don't think I have ever touched the YD button in the E170.....ever....
 
So I cockpit jumpseat on ExpressJet quite often and started noticing that part of the landing checklist is turning the yaw damper off. Is there a reason for this? Why wouldn't you leave it on in case you had an engine failure on approach/short final?
The YD isn't bright enough to do thrust asymmetry compensation, nor does it have sufficient authority.

You can still make inputs, they are just not as effective and require more pressure for the same result as compared with the YD off.
Most EMB (-120 -135 -145) drivers will obsessive-compulsively click the AP/PUSHER/TRIM DISC button on the yoke on short final for this reason.
 
I've flown the Dash with the autopilot/yd MEL'd quite a bit and frankly it wasn't any worse than flying with them working. I think that the Dash's YD just doesn't do very much at all.

The YD on the King Air and Citations (sims) I flew was much like the EMB mentioned above. It was very effective and you have to click it off on short final if you want to be able to steer when you get on the ground.


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This also makes me wonder - is the Q400 yaw damper any good?


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I really liked the rudder boost system on the KA 200 I used to fly. Simple and effective. Im very surprised that the EMB 120 DOESN'T have a comparable system even though it has engines that are more then 2x as powerful. You better do some leg presses before sim.
 
You weren't sitting at the other end of the airplane.


I guess.

I don't remember anyone complaining about the ride. I mean it just doesn't seem like the stupid supposed yaw damper does anything. Flying the airplane without the YD was no different than flying with a working one. I don't know if you've flown the Dash or not but the yaw damper essentially does nothing. We still have to trim the hell out of it to get it to fly straight, put in rudder input in turns while the AP is flying (the same amount as if we were hand flying), etc. If it tells you anything our YD is turned on before taxi and turned off after landing.

It just doesn't do anything compared to the other airplanes I've flown.
 
This also makes me wonder - is the Q400 yaw damper any good?


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No, the YD button on the Q400 is just for looks...doesn't do anything that I can tell. I hand flew from Bellingham to Seattle with it off and didn't realize it.
 
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