Clear Yaw string tape?

Best thing I've found is a special clear tape by 3M used to protect the
leading edges of props. In AZ we use 6" wide lengths of this tape to
shield the undersides of our booms from the glass-eating gravel we land
on. It works great for yaw string attachment -- easy to remove but
doesn't remove itself, leaves no residue, very clear. E-mail me your
snail mail address if you'd like a sample (tuno(at)pobox(dot)com).

~ted/2NO

Some clear book contact covering cut to shape.

If you don't know how to find the centerline, I certainly
don't recommend it!

At 19:42 12 April 2006, Shawn wrote:
Nyal Williams wrote:
I have seen a glider that had a very small, round
hole
for the yaw string drilled in the canopy. The owner
tied knots inside and out, tighly against the hole.

That was probably 35 years ago and I don't remember
what or who. I would not recommend it.

Kinda suck when, after your buddies ask why you fly
slow and sideways,
you realize you drilled 1 cm to starboard.


Shawn

On 12 Apr 2006 09:57:34 -0700, "Bruno" wrote:

I have seen a few gliders that had yaw strings attached with something
other than the white tape most of us use. It was either a clear tape
or clear sticker. If any of you use something other than the white
tape to attach your yaw string please share what you use. Thanks!

Bear 3M make a an outstanding clear flexible tape currently retailed
as "clear all weather" tape. Comes in a roll approx 2" in width.

A lot dearer than and has a different texture from packaging tape. It
is backed with a strong adhesive which remains with the tape when you
pull the old tape off, and is highly resistant to lifting due weather
or exposure. Once you put it on, it stays there until you deside to
take it off. Good stuff. Highly recommended.

Hi,

I sell clear (or at least translucent) "wing tape" he
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/mmm.htm

It is a 3M product and I like it a lot. I have never used it to hold a yaw
string on, but I imagine it would work. It is mainly purchased by owners of
gliders that are colors other than white for use as wing gap seal tape.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"Bruno" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have seen a few gliders that had yaw strings attached with something
other than the white tape most of us use. It was either a clear tape
or clear sticker. If any of you use something other than the white
tape to attach your yaw string please share what you use. Thanks!

Though I haven't really advertised it, a number of years back I invented the
MKII "high tech" yaw string. The high tech part being somewhat
tongue-in-cheek, though generally unreliable and refutable sources indicate
the MKII will add at least 2 points to your L/D - - and even if not, it
still looks a whole lot better than tape! I've sold 70 - 100 MKII's, mostly
to other Stemme owners and a few on the ramp at Minden . . . so perhaps
someone will post their opinion.

The MKII consists of a clear turbulator base w/ clear adhesive. Yarn is
natural wool, as that's reputed to be kinder to the Plexi than synthetic
yarn that scratches. The yarn exits through a small hole in the plastic
base. Included is an index dot for the inside of the canopy, instructions
and a money back guarantee if you're not happy.

Several MKII's were placed on a test strip of Plexiglas and continuously
exposed for over two years in the California sun. After the exposure test,
the base and adhesive could still be easily removed with no damage or
residue. To order, send $9 USD and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

John Morgan
194 Taylor Creek Rd.
Minden, NV 89460

I also should have a "quiet vent" kit (QV) available soon. Added to the
standard swing out vent in the canopy sliding window, testing shows a noise
reduction of 10 db - - it quiets the vent to a pleasant, low level. I'm
still working to resolve some issues with a few QV failures while wave
flying, if the QV is mechanically stressed while exposed to sub-zero
temperatures. If you don't "pluck" at the QV while it's super cold, it works
fine as is. When ready for "market", it will be $5 US.

all the best,

bumper



"Bruno" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have seen a few gliders that had yaw strings attached with something
other than the white tape most of us use. It was either a clear tape
or clear sticker. If any of you use something other than the white
tape to attach your yaw string please share what you use. Thanks!

I've always felt (but have no evidence) that positioning a yaw string on
the canopy is not optimal, and that you really want it in clean,
undisturbed, air (yeah, like the 2-33). There could be 2 problems with
the canopy mount. One, it is flush with a compound curve surface and who
knows that the air is doing there. Two, it is in the boundary layer
between the canopy surface and the airflow and who knows that the air is
doing there.

I wonder if any one has experimented with a "normally" mounted yaw
string and one placed on a post several cm higher.

Tony V.

Yep, done that. The string on the canopy surface is about twice as
sensitive to yaw angles as the one on a one inch tall post. In other words,
the string on the canopy surface 'over-indicates' by about 2:1. I think
that's a good thing.

As another poster noted, getting the string placed exactly on the centerline
is the key. I've found that tailors cloth measuring tape is useful for
making those measurements since it won't scratch the canopy.

Despite the aversion expressed to drilling a hole for the yaw string, that
approach has some advantages.
1. It is a very 'clean' attachment with no tape blocking the pilots forward
view.
2. If the measurements are made precisely before the hole is drilled, the
positioning will always be exact.
3. The string is easily removed/replaced for cleaning and polishing the
canopy.
4. There is NO chance of the string blowing off in flight.

Note: If you decide to drill, you MUST use a sharp new drill made
specifically for drilling plastic.

Bill Daniels

"Tony Verhulst" wrote in message
...

I've always felt (but have no evidence) that positioning a yaw string on
the canopy is not optimal, and that you really want it in clean,
undisturbed, air (yeah, like the 2-33). There could be 2 problems with the
canopy mount. One, it is flush with a compound curve surface and who knows
that the air is doing there. Two, it is in the boundary layer between the
canopy surface and the airflow and who knows that the air is doing there.

I wonder if any one has experimented with a "normally" mounted yaw string
and one placed on a post several cm higher.

Tony V.

On Thu, 13 Apr 2006 08:25:44 -0600, "Bill Daniels"
bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote:

Yep, done that. The string on the canopy surface is about twice as
sensitive to yaw angles as the one on a one inch tall post. In other words,
the string on the canopy surface 'over-indicates' by about 2:1. I think
that's a good thing.

I'm not so sure...there seems to be a definite hysteresis effect in
the boundary layer. I've experimented with two strings, one on a 3/4"
post and one at its base, and they did NOT respond in sync. I found I
could deflect one left, the other right, and hold it that way for a
second or two.

Note: If you decide to drill, you MUST use a sharp new drill made
specifically for drilling plastic.

Better, I think, to poke it with a hot piece of wire to avoid
stress-raising tool marks. Push from the outside in and pull the wire
on through from the inside...that way you don't get a raised lip on
the outside. It works well for stopping cracks, too.

rj

Tony Verhulst wrote:

I've always felt (but have no evidence) that positioning a yaw string on
the canopy is not optimal, and that you really want it in clean,
undisturbed, air (yeah, like the 2-33). There could be 2 problems with
the canopy mount. One, it is flush with a compound curve surface and who
knows that the air is doing there. Two, it is in the boundary layer
between the canopy surface and the airflow and who knows that the air is
doing there.

I wonder if any one has experimented with a "normally" mounted yaw
string and one placed on a post several cm higher.

Tony V.
Our club gliders all had or still have the yaw string mounted some centimetres
off the fuselage.
The Blanik L13 has its on a TE probe about 5cm long, the two BergFalkes have
wire standoffs on the nose. In all cases the string in the free stream tends to
flap like a flag, which can be a little irritating. They also easily drape
around the support and inattentive pilots then end up flying with no yaw
indication. We recently moved the string to the canopy on one of the Bergies,
and the result is an improvement.

In my experience the canopy mounted string is a stabler, and in most situations
better, tool. The small area occluded by the attachment is not significant as
long as you do move your head when scanning. Otherwise it can obscure other
aircraft.
--
Bruce Greeff
Std Cirrus #57
I'm no-T at the address above.