Wikipedia:Yaw string

[Doug Haluza]

The Wikipedia article on the yaw string is featured on the main page
today in the "Did you know...." section as follows:

"Did you know..."

....that the yaw string, a simple tuft of yarn used as a flight
instrument by the Wright brothers, is still in use today?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaw_string

[[email protected]]

Nice work, ongoing! Doug....

These entries are surely very subtle yet powerful advertising for the
challenges of our sport.

Too bad we can't track how many people show up at a club saying... "I
was browsing this Wikipedia article and thought I'd give it a try!"

Best regards,
Bob


On Jan 29, 6:08 am, "Doug Haluza" > wrote:
> The Wikipedia article on the yaw string is featured on the main page
> today in the "Did you know...." section as follows:
>
> "Did you know..."
>
> ...that the yaw string, a simple tuft of yarn used as a flight
> instrument by the Wright brothers, is still in use today?"
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaw_string

[Tom Gardner[_1_]]

More surprisingly to me is the information that...

Yaw strings are also fitted to the
Lockheed U-2 high-altitude surveillance
aircraft <http://www.barryschiff.com/high_flight.htm>

.... but given how close U2s are to falling out the sky
at altitude (the coffin corner), perhaps it isn't too
surprising.

[Jack[_1_]]

Tom Gardner wrote:
> More surprisingly to me is the information that...
>
> Yaw strings are also fitted to the
> Lockheed U-2 high-altitude surveillance
> aircraft <http://www.barryschiff.com/high_flight.htm>
>
> ... but given how close U2s are to falling out the sky
> at altitude (the coffin corner), perhaps it isn't too
> surprising.


Yaw strings have also been found on USAF fighters. They aid in gunnery
training.


Jack

[Wayne Paul]

They was also a provisions for a yaw string on the F-4 Phantom.

Wayne
http://www.soaridaho.com/


"Tom Gardner" > wrote in message
43.37...
> More surprisingly to me is the information that...
>
> Yaw strings are also fitted to the
> Lockheed U-2 high-altitude surveillance
> aircraft <http://www.barryschiff.com/high_flight.htm>
>
> ... but given how close U2s are to falling out the sky
> at altitude (the coffin corner), perhaps it isn't too
> surprising.

[Ralph Jones]

On 29 Jan 2007 03:08:22 -0800, "Doug Haluza" >
wrote:

>The Wikipedia article on the yaw string is featured on the main page
>today in the "Did you know...." section as follows:
>
>"Did you know..."
>
>...that the yaw string, a simple tuft of yarn used as a flight
>instrument by the Wright brothers, is still in use today?"
>
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaw_string

Hm...didn't point out the importance of using a metric yaw string on
German sailplanes...;-)

rj

[bumper]

Nor did they mention the vastly improved yaw string, the MKII "high tech"
yaw string! The MKII is reputed, by generally refutable and unreliable
sources, to increase L/D by at least 2 points - - but who's counting. This
from the inventor of the "QV quiet vent kit" (which really does decrease
noise from the Mecaplex flip-out window vent by a full 10 db as measured in
an ASH26E at 60 knots). Contact me directly for more info.

I'll have a supply of both with me at the SSA convention.

bumper ZZ (reverse all after @)>
"Dare to be different . . . circle in sink."


"Ralph Jones" > wrote in message
...
> On 29 Jan 2007 03:08:22 -0800, "Doug Haluza" >
> wrote:
>
>>The Wikipedia article on the yaw string is featured on the main page
>>today in the "Did you know...." section as follows:
>>
>>"Did you know..."
>>
>>...that the yaw string, a simple tuft of yarn used as a flight
>>instrument by the Wright brothers, is still in use today?"
>>
>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaw_string
>
> Hm...didn't point out the importance of using a metric yaw string on
> German sailplanes...;-)
>
> rj

[Nyal Williams]

Some of us are waiting with abated breath (nothing
fishy here) for the Mark III calibrated model. It
is reported to have a transparent sweep screen underneath
it so as to measure the precise angle of slip and aid
in selecting the amount of rudder input required.

At 17:06 29 January 2007, Bumper wrote:
>Nor did they mention the vastly improved yaw string,
>the MKII 'high tech'
>yaw string! The MKII is reputed, by generally refutable
>and unreliable
>sources, to increase L/D by at least 2 points - - but
>who's counting. This
>from the inventor of the 'QV quiet vent kit' (which
>really does decrease
>noise from the Mecaplex flip-out window vent by a full
>10 db as measured in
>an ASH26E at 60 knots). Contact me directly for more
>info.
>
>I'll have a supply of both with me at the SSA convention.
>
>bumper ZZ
>'Dare to be different . . . circle in sink.'
>
>
>'Ralph Jones' wrote in message
...
>> On 29 Jan 2007 03:08:22 -0800, 'Doug Haluza'
>> wrote:
>>
>>>The Wikipedia article on the yaw string is featured
>>>on the main page
>>>today in the 'Did you know....' section as follows:
>>>
>>>'Did you know...'
>>>
>>>...that the yaw string, a simple tuft of yarn used
>>>as a flight
>>>instrument by the Wright brothers, is still in use
>>>today?'
>>>
>>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaw_string
>>
>> Hm...didn't point out the importance of using a metric
>>yaw string on
>> German sailplanes...;-)
>>
>> rj
>
>
>

[bumper]

Nyal,

I love a challenge(g).

However, including a sweep screen with photo-optical sensor to provide data
to a remote digital angle-of-slip indicator, would cause a bodacious
increase in the $9 selling price.

We could go low tech though. Since the MKII yaw string already comes with
transparent turbulator base and a single light colored alignment dot*, it
wouldn't be that much trouble to include two additional alignment dots and a
template to install them at say, 10 degrees each side of center.

*The center alignment dot, affixed to the inside of the canopy surface, is
light colored so it doesn't tend to attract the eye, tricking it into
thinking it's outside traffic, as would a dark colored dot.

As an aside, I've seen several MKII yaw string installations where the pilot
chose not to install the included alignment dot as all. So clearly all this
is a matter of preference . . . as is the decision to continue using that
ugly old tape and yarn!!.
--
bumper ZZ (reverse all after @)>
"Dare to be different . . . circle in sink."

"Nyal Williams" > wrote in message
...
> Some of us are waiting with abated breath (nothing
> fishy here) for the Mark III calibrated model. It
> is reported to have a transparent sweep screen underneath
> it so as to measure the precise angle of slip and aid
> in selecting the amount of rudder input required.
>
> At 17:06 29 January 2007, Bumper wrote:
>>Nor did they mention the vastly improved yaw string,
>>the MKII 'high tech'
>>yaw string! The MKII is reputed, by generally refutable
>>and unreliable
>>sources, to increase L/D by at least 2 points - - but
>>who's counting. This
>>from the inventor of the 'QV quiet vent kit' (which
>>really does decrease
>>noise from the Mecaplex flip-out window vent by a full
>>10 db as measured in
>>an ASH26E at 60 knots). Contact me directly for more
>>info.
>>
>>I'll have a supply of both with me at the SSA convention.
>>
>>bumper ZZ
>>'Dare to be different . . . circle in sink.'
>>
>>
>>'Ralph Jones' wrote in message
...
>>> On 29 Jan 2007 03:08:22 -0800, 'Doug Haluza'
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>The Wikipedia article on the yaw string is featured
>>>>on the main page
>>>>today in the 'Did you know....' section as follows:
>>>>
>>>>'Did you know...'
>>>>
>>>>...that the yaw string, a simple tuft of yarn used
>>>>as a flight
>>>>instrument by the Wright brothers, is still in use
>>>>today?'
>>>>
>>>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaw_string
>>>
>>> Hm...didn't point out the importance of using a metric
>>>yaw string on
>>> German sailplanes...;-)
>>>
>>> rj
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

[kirk.stant]

Darn things work even better when you tape both ends down. Just have
to make sure it's on straight first...

And they last longer on the inside of the canopy, anyway.

66

[bumper]

Shut up!!

How am I gonna get rich selling these things if you post accurate info like
that?

bumper
"kirk.stant" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Darn things work even better when you tape both ends down. Just have
> to make sure it's on straight first...
>
> And they last longer on the inside of the canopy, anyway.
>
> 66
>
>

[COLIN LAMB]

No one has mentioned that yaw strings work on helicopters, too.

Just as important to avoid adverse yaw on a helicopter - and no, the
"downwash" does not render them useful.

Colin

[[email protected]]

Sounds like it would be a usefull instrument for a hot air baloon.
After all, you need to know which way the wind is blowing.

On Jan 29, 4:51 pm, "COLIN LAMB" > wrote:
> No one has mentioned that yaw strings work on helicopters, too.
>
> Just as important to avoid adverse yaw on a helicopter - and no, the
> "downwash" does not render them useful.
>
> Colin

[Ralph Jones]

On 29 Jan 2007 16:54:27 -0800, wrote:

>Sounds like it would be a usefull instrument for a hot air baloon.
>After all, you need to know which way the wind is blowing.
>
Balloons do use something similar to a yaw string. They hang a piece
of rope from the periphery of the bag down to a point level with the
basket, with a piece of yarn at the end. It serves as a measure of
horizontal wind shear, which tells you which way your path will
deviate if you change altitude.

rj

[COLIN LAMB]

>and no, the "downwash" does not render them useful.

I should read twice and send once. I meant:

does not render them useless.

Time for a soda.

Colin

[Doug Haluza]

The FAA RFH (http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/media/faa-
h-8083-21.pdf) only mentions yaw strings on gyroplanes, so I added
that. Find a ref for helicopters, and add the info to the WP article.


On Jan 29, 8:19 pm, "COLIN LAMB" > wrote:
> >and no, the "downwash" does not render them useful.I should read twice and send once. I meant:
>
> does not render them useless.
>
> Time for a soda.
>
> Colin

[COLIN LAMB]

I do not recall seeing it written anywhere, but I am a helicopter pilot and
they are on most of the Schweizers (formerly Hughes) that I flew. The
instructors seem to like them and noted when you think you are doing fine
that the yaw string was not centered. Heck, instructors are the same
everywhere, they like to find things you do wrong and point them out - thank
goodness.

Colin

[Andy[_1_]]

On Jan 29, 9:21 am, Jack > wrote:
> Tom Gardner wrote:
> > More surprisingly to me is the information that...
>
> > Yaw strings are also fitted to the
> > Lockheed U-2 high-altitude surveillance
> > aircraft <http://www.barryschiff.com/high_flight.htm>
>
> > ... but given how close U2s are to falling out the sky
> > at altitude (the coffin corner), perhaps it isn't too
> > surprising.Yaw strings have also been found on USAF fighters. They aid in gunnery
> training.
>
> Jack

[kirk.stant]

On Jan 29, 4:22 pm, "bumper" > wrote:
> Shut up!!
>
> How am I gonna get rich selling these things if you post accurate info like
> that?

Same way everybody makes a small fortune in aviation - start with a
big one!

Actually, you should consider using the blank surface of the yawstring
for advertising - how about string cheese? Or baling wire?

66