Which term describes the vertical fin that prevents yawing side to side?

Which term describes the vertical fin that prevents yawing side to side?

• A. Wings
• B. Slats
• C. Airfoil
• D. Vertical stabilizer

Answer: (D)

The vertical stabilizer is the vertical tail fin that provides directional stability, preventing the aircraft from yawing—rotating left or right about the vertical axis. It keeps the fuselage aligned with the oncoming air, and the rudder attached to it allows the pilot to control yaw when turning. Wings generate lift and don’t primarily control yaw. Slats are wing devices that improve lift at certain speeds, not stability about the vertical axis. An airfoil describes the shape of a wing or blade and is linked to lift, not the vertical stabilizer’s function. So the vertical stabilizer is the term that matches the function of preventing yaw.

The vertical stabilizer is the vertical tail fin that provides directional stability, preventing the aircraft from yawing—rotating left or right about the vertical axis. It keeps the fuselage aligned with the oncoming air, and the rudder attached to it allows the pilot to control yaw when turning.

Wings generate lift and don’t primarily control yaw. Slats are wing devices that improve lift at certain speeds, not stability about the vertical axis. An airfoil describes the shape of a wing or blade and is linked to lift, not the vertical stabilizer’s function. So the vertical stabilizer is the term that matches the function of preventing yaw.