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Left Turning Tendencies

Left Turning Tendencies

Update: 2025-02-15
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Aircraft propellers generate thrust, but also introduce unwanted forces that pilots must manage. These forces, known as left-turning tendencies, include torque, caused by the engine turning the prop, and spiraling slipstream, where propwash hits the rudder. P-factor arises from uneven lift distribution on the propeller blades during climbs, and gyroscopic precession occurs when forces are applied to the spinning propeller. Each of these factors creates a unique challenge for pilots to counteract through control inputs to maintain stable flight. Conventional-gear aircraft experience gyroscopic forces more than tricycle-gear.

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Left Turning Tendencies

Left Turning Tendencies