Propeller left-turning tendencies
A single tractor propeller turning clockwise (seen from the cockpit) gives four left-turning tendencies. All are worst at high power and low speed, so you hold right rudder on take-off and climb.
- Torque reaction: the equal-and-opposite reaction to the spinning prop rolls the aircraft left.
- Spiralling slipstream: the corkscrewing airflow strikes the left side of the fin and yaws the nose left. Strongest at low speed / high power.
- Gyroscopic precession: a pitch or yaw input to the spinning prop shows up 90° later in the direction of rotation. Noticeable as the tail comes up on a taildragger.
- Asymmetric thrust (P-factor): at a high nose-up attitude the descending right blade meets the air at a greater angle of attack and takes a bigger bite, yawing left.
Trap: forgetting the fix is right rudder, and that these effects peak at high power and low speed, exactly on take-off.
References
- TP 1102