Yaw String in a Spin

There have been many comments about using the yaw string to determine the
direction of a spin. Most of us will admit that we do not look at the yaw
string while in a spin. One honest pilot even admitted it in print.

Several U.S. pilots have seen the video of the U S Air Force flight tests of
the spin charecteristics of an ASK-21. During a fully developed spins the
yaw string could be seen moving left then right then up and even forward.
The real conclusion to this discussion should be that the yaw string is not
*always* a reliable indication of spin direction.

What is most important is "situational awarness". A pilot must learn to
know where he is and how he got there.

Duane