Yaw string

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A red yarn yaw string (top center) on the canopy of a Schempp-Hirth Janus-C glider as seen by the pilot in flight. The yaw string and slip-skid indicator ball show a slight slip with a positive sideslip angle.

“Slip string” redirects here. For the toy usage, see Yo-yo.

The yaw string, also known as a slip string, is a simple device for indicating a slip or skid in an aircraft in flight. It performs the same function as the slip-skid indicator ball, but is more sensitive, and does not require the pilot to look down at the instrument panel.^[1] Technically, it measures sideslip angle, not yaw angle,^[2] but this indicates how the aircraft must be yawed to return the sideslip angle to zero.

It is typically constructed from a short piece or tuft of yarn placed in the free air stream where it is visible to the pilot.^[3] In closed cockpit aircraft, it is usually taped to the aircraft canopy. It may also be mounted on the aircraft's nose, either directly on the skin, or elevated on a mast, in which case it may also be fitted with a small paper cone at the trailing end.^[4] They are commonly used on gliders, but may also be found on jet aircraft (especially fighters), ultralight aircraft, light-sport aircraft, autogyros^[5] and airplanes. Its usefulness on airplanes with a tractor configuration (single propeller at the nose) is limited because the propeller creates turbulence and the spiral slipstream displaces the string to one side.^[6]

The yaw string dates from the earliest days of aviation, and actually was the first flight instrument. The Wright Brothers used a yaw string on their 1902 glider tied on their front mounted elevator.^[7] Wilbur Wright is credited with its invention, having applied it concurrently with the movable rudder invented by his brother Orville in October 1902,^[8] although others may have used it before. Glenn Curtiss also used it on his early airplanes.

The yaw string is considered a primary flight reference instrument on gliders, which must be flown with near zero sideslip angle to reduce drag. It is valued for its high sensitivity, and the fact that it is presented in a head-up display. Even the most sophisticated modern racing sailplanes are fitted with yaw strings by their pilots, who reference them constantly throughout the flight.

Diagram showing yaw string deflection on a multi-engine airplane flown incorrectly with wings level after an engine failure.

Yaw strings are also fitted to the Lockheed U-2 high-altitude surveillance aircraft.^[9] Some light twin-engine airplane pilots place yaw strings on their aircraft to help maintain control in the event of an engine failure, because the slip-skid indicator ball is not accurate in this case.^[10] In a multiengine airplane with an inoperative engine, the centered ball is no longer the indicator of zero sideslip due to asymmetrical thrust. The yaw string is the only flight instrument that will directly tell the pilot the flight conditions for zero sideslip.^[11]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Reichmann, Helmut [1975] (1988). in Lert, Peter: Cross Country Soaring (Streckensegelflug), English ed., Soaring Society of America, p. 77. LCCCN 77-86598.
^ Denker, John S. (2002). See How It Flies. Retrieved on January 21, 2007. “The slip string is commonly referred to as a “yaw string”, even though it measures the slip angle, not the yaw angle (i.e. heading)....”
^ (2003) Glider Flying Handbook. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, p. 4-14. FAA-8083-13_GFH.
^ Selvidge, Harner, S.D. [1963] (1976). "Ch. 7 : Equipment I", in Licher, Rose Marie: American Soaring Handbook, 2nd ed., Soaring Society of America, pp. 30-31. LCCCN 59-15668.
^ (2000) Rotorcraft Flying Handbook. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, p. 18-4. FAA-8083-21.
^ Hurt, George. The Yaw String. Retrieved on January 21, 2007.
^ Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company and Museum of Pioneer Aviation. 1902 Glider Replica. Retrieved on January 21, 2007. “For all the progress that has been made in a century of aviation, the Ventur 2 still has a "yaw string" attached where the pilot can see it. As does the Wright glider. This was the first flight instrument....”
^ Knauff, Tom (Feb/Mar 1995). "Inventing the Rudder". free flight 1995 (1): p. 26. ISSN 0827 – 2557. Retrieved on 2006-01-21. “[Wilbur Wright] responded, “Yes...we will install a short piece of string out front where we can see it. This string will tell us all we need to know!” (paraphrased) Wilbur had just invented the yaw string — the first aircraft instrument.”
^ Schiff, Barry (2006). High Flight. Retrieved on January 21, 2007. “A yaw string (like those used on sailplanes) above each canopy silently admonishes those who allow the aircraft to slip or skid when maneuvering.”
^ Paul A. Craig (2004). Multiengine flying. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-142139-4. “You will see that with the wings level the yaw string does not lay along the centerline, yet the ball is in the center...”
^ (2004) Airplane Flying Handbook. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, pp. 12-23. FAA-8083-3A.