Yaw string

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Device for indicating a slip or skid in an aircraft in flight

title: "Yaw string" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["aircraft-instruments", "gliding-technology"] description: "Device for indicating a slip or skid in an aircraft in flight" topic_path: "general/aircraft-instruments" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaw_string" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Device for indicating a slip or skid in an aircraft in flight ::

|image1 = Glider Instrument Panel.png |image2 = Yaw String operation.jpg |footer = LEFT: A red yarn yaw string 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. The pilot should apply right rudder pressure to correct. RIGHT TOP: Left turn slip should be corrected with left rudder pressure. RIGHT BOTTOM: Left turn skid should be corrected with right rudder pressure. |total_width = 340 ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/FAA-8083-3A_Fig_12-16.PNG" caption="Diagram showing yaw string deflection on a multi-engine airplane flown incorrectly with wings level after an engine failure."] ::

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.{{cite book | last = Reichmann | first = Helmut | editor = Lert, Peter | title = Cross Country Soaring (Streckensegelflug) | year = 1988 | orig-year = 1975 | edition = English | publisher = Soaring Society of America | id = LCCCN 77-86598 | page = 77 | url = http://www.av8n.com/how/htm/multi.html#@default1498 | title = See How It Flies | access-date = 2007-01-21 | author = Denker, John S. | year = 2002 | quote = 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)....

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.{{cite book | title = Glider Flying Handbook | year = 2003 | publisher = U.S. Federal Aviation Administration | location = U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. | id = FAA-8083-13_GFH | pages = 4–14 | url=http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/glider_handbook/ | last = Selvidge | first = Harner, S.D. | editor = Licher, Rose Marie | title = American Soaring Handbook | orig-year = 1963 | edition = 2nd | year = 1976 | publisher = Soaring Society of America | id = LCCCN 59-15668 | pages = 30–31 | chapter = Ch. 7 : Equipment I | title = Rotorcraft Flying Handbook | year = 2000 | publisher = U.S. Federal Aviation Administration | location = U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. | id = FAA-8083-21 | pages = 18–4 | url=http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/media/faa-h-8083-21.pdf | url = http://www.challengers101.com/YawString.html | title = The Yaw String | access-date = 2007-01-21 | author = Hurt, George

The yaw string is considered a primary flight reference instrument on gliders, which must be flown with near zero sideslip angle to reduce drag as much as possible. 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.

History

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.{{cite web | url = http://www.first-to-fly.com/Adventure/Hangar/gliderrep.htm | title = 1902 Glider Replica | access-date = 2007-01-21 | author = Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company and Museum of Pioneer Aviation | quote = 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.... |quote = [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. |last = Knauff |first = Tom |date = Feb–Mar 1995 |title = Inventing the Rudder |journal = Free Flight |volume = 1995 |issue = 1 |page = 26 |id = – 2557 |url = http://www.wgc.mb.ca/sac/freeflight/95_01.pdf |access-date = 2006-01-21 |issn = 0827-2557 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051031193648/http://www.wgc.mb.ca/sac/freeflight/95_01.pdf |archive-date = 2005-10-31

Operation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/US_Navy_030421-N-0295M-002_A_pilot_looks_through_his_Heads-Up_Display_(HUD)_as_he_checks_the_systems_of_his_F-14D_Tomcat.jpg" caption="Yaw string used in front of the cockpit of an F-14D Tomcat"] ::

In flight, pilots are instructed to step on the head of the yaw string; the head is the front of the string, where the string is attached to the aircraft. If the head of the yaw string is to the right of the yaw string tail, then the pilot should apply right rudder pressure. If the head of the yaw string is to the left of the yaw string tail, then the pilot should apply left rudder pressure. Or pilots may be instructed to view the attached point of the yaw string as an arrowhead pointing to the rudder pedal needing application of pressure. According to Helmut Reichmann, "...rudder against the string and/or aileron toward the string."

In a spin the yaw string always points in the direction of spin. Inclinometers do not work in spins because they follow the local centrifugal direction. In a spin, only turn needles and yaw strings are reliable. Turn coordinators work if erect but not when inverted.

Use on powered aircraft

Yaw strings are also fitted to the Lockheed U-2 high-altitude surveillance aircraft{{cite web | url = http://www.barryschiff.com/high_flight.htm | title = High Flight | access-date = 2007-01-21 | author = Schiff, Barry | year = 2006 | quote = A yaw string (like those used on sailplanes) above each canopy silently admonishes those who allow the aircraft to slip or skid when maneuvering. | archive-date = 2007-02-22 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070222194336/http://www.barryschiff.com/high_flight.htm | url-status = dead | author = Paul A. Craig | title = Multiengine flying | publisher = McGraw-Hill | location = New York | year = 2004 | isbn = 0-07-142139-4 | quote = You will see that with the wings level the yaw string does not lay along the centerline, yet the ball is in the center... 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.{{cite book | title = Airplane Flying Handbook | year = 2004 | publisher = U.S. Federal Aviation Administration | location = U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. | id = FAA-8083-3A | pages = 12–23 | url=http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/

Yaw strings are also used on some (especially smaller) helicopters.

Side string

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Seitenfaden.PNG" caption="Side string"] ::

A variation of the yaw string is the side string, used in gliders for a determination of the angle of attack. In this way the speed for best glide angle, the best thermalling speed and the stall speed can be observed independently of other parameters like air speed, aircraft weight, acceleration due to turning, stick movements, and gusts.

Investigations of the side string and on its use in glider flight were performed by the Akaflieg Köln.

References

(2013). "Glider Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-13A". U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA.
(2016). "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, FAA-H-8083-25B". U.S. Department of Transportation.
(2000). "Thermals, Towlines & Tangents". Flying Magazine.
(2019). "Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21B". U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA.
(1993). "Cross-Country Soaring, A Handbook for Performance and Competition Soaring". Soaring Society of America, Inc..
"HOME OF M.A.T.S. - the most comprehensive Grumman F-14 Reference Work - by Torsten Anft!".
[http://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/index.php?id=seitenfaden-e Use of the side string, DG Flugzeugbau]
"Use of the side string (German), Akaflieg Köln".

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