What instrument can indicate the presence of a yawing motion in flight?

The turn coordinator is the correct instrument for indicating the presence of a yawing motion in flight. It is specifically designed to show the rate of turn and the coordination of the turn, providing pilots with vital information about the aircraft's lateral movement. When an aircraft yaws, it typically does so around its vertical axis, which can result in a turn that may need to be corrected to maintain a straight flight path.

The turn coordinator uses a small airplane symbol and a curved line on its face to indicate whether the aircraft is in coordinated flight or experiencing yawing. A level flight indicates a coordinated turn, while an excessive deviation left or right suggests uncoordinated yawing that may lead to issues such as a stall or increased drag if not corrected.

Other instruments listed serve different purposes. The altimeter measures altitude, the heading indicator provides directional information, and the vertical speed indicator shows the rate of climb or descent. None of these instruments provide direct feedback on yawing motion, making the turn coordinator essential for managing and understanding yaw dynamics during flight.