An aircraft’s ability to maintain stable directional control is a basic necessity, especially in situations involving crosswinds, engine asymmetry, or turbulence. One important control surface in this task is the rudder, mounted on the vertical stabilizer to govern an aircraft’s rotation about its vertical axis, also known as yaw. However, as the rudder is subject to wear and tear like any other part, it needs to be properly maintained to avoid compromising safety. In this blog, we will give some pointers for keeping aircraft rudder components in good shape, covering common points of wear, warning signs that may signal developing issues, and standard inspection tasks and intervals.