Understanding Propeller Torque and P-Factor: Difference between revisions

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P-factor is the term for asymmetric propeller loading, causes the airplane to yaw to the left when at high angles of attack.
P-factor is the term for asymmetric propeller loading, causes the airplane to yaw to the left when at high angles of attack.


The descending right side of the propeller (as seen from the rear) has a higher angle of attack than the upward-moving blade on the left side and provides more thrust. This occurs only when the propeller is not meeting the oncoming airflow head-on, for example when an aircraft is moving down the runway at a nose-high attitude (i.e. at a high angle of attack), as is the case with tail-draggers. Aircraft with tricycle landing gear maintain a level attitude on the takeoff run, so there is little P-factor during takeoff. In all cases, though, the effect is weaker than prop wash.
The descending right side of the propeller (as seen from the rear) has a higher angle of attack than the upward-moving blade on the left side and provides more thrust. This occurs only when the propeller is not meeting the oncoming airflow head-on, for example when an aircraft is moving down the runway at a nose-high attitude (i.e. at a high angle of attack), as is the case with tail-draggers. Aircraft with tricycle landing gear maintain a level attitude on the takeoff roll run, so there is little P-factor during takeoff roll until lift off. In all cases, though, the effect is weaker than prop wash.


According to What You Need to Know About Aerodyanics... by Franklin Gutierrez.
According to What You Need to Know About Aerodyanics... by Franklin Gutierrez.

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