What should pilots ensure about the yaw damper before proceeding with flight?

Pilots should ensure that the yaw damper is operational before proceeding with flight because the yaw damper plays a crucial role in maintaining aircraft stability by controlling unwanted lateral movements and ensuring coordinated flight. It helps to prevent adverse yaw, particularly during turns, and assists in smoothing out the aircraft’s response to control inputs. An inoperative yaw damper can lead to increased pilot workload and difficulty in controlling the aircraft, especially in turbulent conditions or during maneuvers. Therefore, confirming that the yaw damper is fully functional is an essential step in pre-flight checks to ensure safety and optimal operational performance during the flight.