Re: noob Q: does torque make aircraft bank more readily one way vs. another?

On Aug 28, 5:18 am, The Natural Philosopher <a...@xxx> wrote:
Dan_Thomas_nos...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Aug 27, 6:11 pm, walter <wamann...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
my left turns are good. smooth. well coordinated.

same plane. same radio. same thumbs. my right turns are really bad.
poorly coordinated, blah, blah, blah.

does the torque from the prop have anything to do with this? or do i
just need to practice more right turns?

w

Engine torque makes too little difference. It's the gyroscopic
precession generated by the propeller in the turn that makes the right
turn more difficult. In a left turn the precession helps keep the nose
up; in the right turn it pulls it down, and more back pressure is
needed. And if you are a bit clumsy with the rudder, the turn won't be
constant and neither will the precession forces, and you'll be all
over the sky.

Dan

Gyroscopic precession is not generally an effect you notice unless its a
VERY high powered machine.

Torque is very noticeable particularly with large diameter propellors
(D>25% of span)


Gyroscopic precession shows up in all full-scale airplanes,
even in those low-powered machines with wooden props turning rather
slowly. It's a factor in steep turns as well as any rapid pitch
changes. In a model with a light prop but with the much higher RPM it
WILL be a factor. Even the engine's rotating mass will have its
effect.

Dan

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