Left Turning Tendencies & Axis

Name 4 Left Turning Tendencies

Natural forces that make the plane yaw/roll to the left (on takeoff and climb).

-Torque

-Gyroscopic Precession

-Asymmetrical Thrust (P-Factor)

-Spiraling Slipstream

Describe A-Symmetrical Thrust (P-Factor)

Similar to Torque

Pulls the plane left when flying @ high angle of attack.

When the descending propeller blade has more thrust than the ascending blade.

Describe Torque

When the engine and propeller spin to the right.

Airplane tends to roll/yaw to the left.

Newton’s 3rd Law (action/reaction).

Describe Spiraling Slipstream

The propeller creates a spiral slipstream around the plane.

Hits the left side of the tail —> pushes the tail right —> yaws the nose to the left.

Describe Gyroscopic Precession

When the nose of the plane is pitched up quickly, the spinning propeller acts like a gyroscope.

The force applied appears 90 degrees ahead (in the direction of the rotation around vertical axis).

What are the 3-axis of flight?

Longitudinal Axis

Lateral Axis

Vertical Axis

Describe Vertical Axis

Imaginary line running through the center of the plane.

Rudders/Yaw control this.

Describe Lateral Axis

Imaginary line from one wingtip to the other.

Elevator/Pitch controls this.

Describe Longitudinal Axis

Imaginary line from the front tip of the plane to the back.

Ailerons/Roll controls this.

Position (navigation) lights on an aircraft are:

• Red on Left

• Green on Right

• White on Tail

How should the flight controls be held while taxiing a tricycle wheeled airplane?

1. Aileron Up on L, elevator neutral

2. Aileron Up on R, elevator neutral

3. Aileron Down on L, elevator down

4. Aileron Down on R, elevator down