Beechcraft King Air YD limit
 

Hi,

The B200 POH says that the yaw damper must be engaged when flying at an altitude of over 17,000 ft.
Does anyone know where the limit comes from?

Thanks,

Ori

The weakish directional stability of the B200 can cause some Dutch Roll at higher FL's hence the FL170 limit for the YD. The raisbeck modification of dual dorsal strakes improves the directional stability and hence also removes the FL170 limit for the YD.

It's a certification requirement. The airplane flies fine without it. I've found that often it's best turned off because as a pilot I can do a much better job and create a better ride for the passengers than the yaw damp can do. Any time I'm in turbulence or rough conditions, the yaw damp comes off in favor of footwork, in that airplane.

As mentioned above, with the Raisebeck strakes, it's a non-issue.

Thanks for the replies.

I guess we're talking mainly dutch roll and dynamic directional stability? Is there an issue with static directional stability (without the twin strakes)

Are there any further concerns (structural?)

Thanks.


Ori