View Single Post
Old January 15th, 2007, 13:01   #3
BeechBoy
Junior Member
 
BeechBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Milwaukee, Wi
Posts: 71
Default Re: Left-turn tendencies

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazzler View Post
Generally speaking, would it be true to state that, for single engine fixed-pitch propeller aircraft, left-turn tendencies are at their greatest at:
- High RPMs
- High angle of attack
- Low airspeed?
Yes. P-factor is most pronounced at high angles of attack because this is the time when the angle of attack of the descending blade is greater than the angle of attack of the ascending blade.

At higher RPM's you have more torque and also the P-factor phenomena is occurring more times per minute.

The actual FORCES of the left turning tendencies does not vary with airspeed only on power setting and angle of attack (however at high angles of attack your airspeed isn't going to be exactly pushing the barber pole). However your ability to counter the left turning tendences IS dependent on airspeed in the form of rudder effectiveness.

I've never seen this specifically mentioned but I'll venture to guess that this holds true for constant speed props and multi's (non-counter-rotating) as well.
BeechBoy is offline   Reply With Quote