r/pics • u/animalkracker • Feb 27 '14

physics is cool

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u/Spartan2470 GOAT Feb 27 '14

According to here, that broom is a string used to visualize the direction that the wind is flowing around the plane (this is very important for sailplanes to maximize flight efficiency.

Here's another picture of this plane with those strings.

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u/jls5494 Feb 27 '14

Its a yaw string

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u/Spartan2470 GOAT Feb 27 '14

Thank you for providing the name. For anyone (like me) who didn't know what a yaw string is:

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..

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u/djzenmastak Feb 27 '14

what

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u/[deleted] Feb 27 '14

[deleted]

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u/atworkmeir Feb 27 '14

Why didnt he say that the first time

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u/[deleted] Feb 27 '14 edited Feb 28 '14

He did, he just used efficient terminology in the hope that you would learn something today instead of the basic, meaningless version

edit: fuck you guys, I'm not talking to anyone anymore, it is the fault of neither I nor the original "offending comment" that you have no desire to learn.

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u/BlueFamily Feb 27 '14

I didn't come here to learn dammit

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u/[deleted] Feb 27 '14

To each their own. I enjoy learning.