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Yaw Dampner

Little Dipper

By Little Dipper
in Modern Mooney Discussion

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Little Dipper Community Regular

Little Dipper

Posted
Posted

I've been really happy with my GFC500 but it bothered me that it had a YD button that wasn't hooked up to anything.   So I dropped her off at Sure Flight and they are fixing this problem for me today.   Some people tell me that the yaw damper will make my passengers more comfortable and others say it isn't worth the bother.   It is going to be interesting to fly into some moderate turbulence and find out how it works.

sureflight shot.jpg

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StevenL757 Grand Master

StevenL757

Posted
Posted (edited)

Small corrections if I may...as the word police are out in force.  :-)

Although "yaw dampener" is a valid term, a "yaw damper" is the correct term used in aviation.  Also, I think you mean "GFC500", as in autopilot; not "GTNxxx", as in FMS/navigator.

I'm confused by your post when you say the YD isn't hooked up to anything.  Do you have the YD servo installed and the button isn't doing anything, or is Sureflight going to install a YD servo for you?

Steve

Edited by StevenL757
Additional content and question.
flysamo Collaborator

flysamo

Posted
Posted

yaw damper operation works great, was surprised how much difference it made on our long body, have no regrets 

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carusoam Grand Master

carusoam

Posted
Posted

Lots of reports around here indicating the YD (not spelling this out loud) works really well...  :)

Take that... spelling police and grammar police... 

 

I’m looking forward to the pirep...

To see how an actual user describes how well it really works...

Kind of like speed brakes... really cool when you have them!

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic...

Hmmmmm....

yaw damper yaw damper yaw damper...... (that should stick in the memory for a few days...) 

Best regards,

-a-

  • Like 1
adverseyaw Collaborator

adverseyaw

Posted
Posted

Even on my mid-body J, the yaw damper was a great addition. The whole GFC500 setup is a fantastic autopilot (very crisp, solid) and is miles ahead of the Century IIB I had prior. The CIIB would wallow laterally in turbulence but the 500 with the damper is rock-solid. Plus, it provides rudder trim through the entire flight envelope (which the J doesn't have from the factory). If I replace the autopilot in my long-body, I'm getting the GFC500 with the yaw damper.

It'll be interesting to hear your experience post-damper upgrade!

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flysamo Collaborator

flysamo

Posted
Posted

that little blue button is awesome, while learning on how to use the GFC 500 and what happens, pressed the button after take off and the auto pilot sprung into action. allowing air craft clean up. 

Little Dipper Community Regular

Little Dipper

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Sadly when I picked up 995K at Sure Flight after the YD install it was not near as bumpy as I had been hoping for.   I could feel a small difference turning the YD on and off but not much.    I need to check it out in weather with continuous moderate turbulence and chop.    I flew yesterday and there were no bumps.   The YD kept the ball pretty much centered with feet on the floor during 45+ turns.    I'm changing my prelanding check list from GUMP to GUMPY.    I wonder what the impact would landing in gusty crosswinds with the YD on? 

  • 10 months later...
Little Dipper Community Regular

Little Dipper

Posted
  • Author
Posted
6 hours ago, bmcconnaha said:

@Little Dipper any update in your thoughts after a year with the yaw damper?

Yes,  It goes a long way to making passengers more comfortable on those gusty frontal days or flying thru moderate turbulence in those pesky cumulous clouds.  Instead of five degree heading change bumps it keeps the heading relatively straight.    I can feel the damper working with my feet thru the petals.    If I had known,  I would have had it installed in the 1st place when I the GFC 500 installed. 

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bmcconnaha Experienced

bmcconnaha

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, Little Dipper said:

Yes,  It goes a long way to making passengers more comfortable on those gusty frontal days or flying thru moderate turbulence in those pesky cumulous clouds.  Instead of five degree heading change bumps it keeps the heading relatively straight.    I can feel the damper working with my feet thru the petals.    If I had known,  I would have had it installed in the 1st place when I the GFC 500 installed. 

Good to know, thank you for the update.  I have mine ordered.  Can't wait!  Does the YD keep the ball centered in a climb, or even a cruise climb? 

dzeleski Proficient

dzeleski

Posted
Posted
14 minutes ago, bmcconnaha said:

Good to know, thank you for the update.  I have mine ordered.  Can't wait!  Does the YD keep the ball centered in a climb, or even a cruise climb? 

Yes it will. If its engaged it will keep it centered at all times, including decent.

bmcconnaha Experienced

bmcconnaha

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, dzeleski said:

Yes it will. If its engaged it will keep it centered at all times, including decent.

Thank you. thats great.  I had several people tell me it wouldnt, so i was curious what others experience was.

dzeleski Proficient

dzeleski

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, bmcconnaha said:

Thank you. thats great.  I had several people tell me it wouldnt, so i was curious what others experience was.

Section 3.1.1 second paragraph. Not sure why those people would tell you otherwise but it absolutely works at all times if its engaged. It makes a massive difference in turbulance and in IMC specifically. Even when hand flying you can enable just the YD and it makes a huge difference.

https://sportysacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/GFC500-Autopilot-Manual.pdf

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Hank Grand Master

Hank

Posted
Posted
11 minutes ago, steingar said:

Are there servos strong enough to move the trim wheel in the Mooney?  I'd not have thought so, but I am no expert.

The yaw dampener works on the rudder trim, which our C models do not have . . . . . But the long bodies do. Not sure about the Ks.

steingar Grand Master

steingar

Posted
Posted
Just now, Hank said:

The yaw dampener works on the rudder trim, which our C models do not have . . . . . But the long bodies do. Not sure about the Ks.

I was referring to the pitch trim wheel, which takes quite a bit of force to move.  The rudder seems more like an accessory in my C, at least in cruise.

Hank Grand Master

Hank

Posted
Posted
Just now, steingar said:

I was referring to the pitch trim wheel, which takes quite a bit of force to move.  The rudder seems more like an accessory in my C, at least in cruise.

I think the long bodies also have electric pitch trim, along with Ks and likely some Js. I read all the time about people running the trim servo with their right hand on the wheel, feeling it turn. So yes to both.

bmcconnaha Experienced

bmcconnaha

Posted
Posted (edited)
31 minutes ago, steingar said:

I was referring to the pitch trim wheel, which takes quite a bit of force to move.  The rudder seems more like an accessory in my C, at least in cruise.

my J has electric pitch trim, and i ordered that for the GFC.  not rudder trim though.  i think you can add electric pitch trim to yours with the GFC.

Edited by bmcconnaha
LANCECASPER Grand Master

LANCECASPER

Posted
Posted
On 12/3/2020 at 3:30 PM, adverseyaw said:

Even on my mid-body J, the yaw damper was a great addition. The whole GFC500 setup is a fantastic autopilot (very crisp, solid) and is miles ahead of the Century IIB I had prior. The CIIB would wallow laterally in turbulence but the 500 with the damper is rock-solid. Plus, it provides rudder trim through the entire flight envelope (which the J doesn't have from the factory). If I replace the autopilot in my long-body, I'm getting the GFC500 with the yaw damper.

It'll be interesting to hear your experience post-damper upgrade!

How could someone named @adverseyaw possibly not get a yaw damper?

  • Haha 6
LANCECASPER Grand Master

LANCECASPER

Posted
Posted
7 hours ago, Hank said:

The yaw dampener works on the rudder trim, which our C models do not have . . . . . But the long bodies do. Not sure about the Ks.

We're not trying to dampen (to make damp or moist) the yaw, just trying damp (to check or retard the action) it. Yaw Damper.

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