Please explain the physics of the takeoff model

[TweetyBird]

It helps a lot and I find it interesting as I have only the most basic understanding of flight. I assumed it was the torque effect making the right wheel lighter because of what I've heard about f4u's flipping over on the deck because of the engine torque. I don't know if any of what I heard is true, as I've gotten most of my info from boards like this. But what you say makes sense because the shape of the prop is constant and the variable is the direction its turning. I guess the lift would have to be different on the two sides of the plane (assuming the shape was designed to produce maximum lift). I apreciate the explanation.

[Booky]

In aircraft like the F4U the torque may cause some weight issues on the gear but I have not flown an aircraft with that much horse power.


Also, just to clarify since im don't want to be confusing, when I refer to lift in my example it is the lift that the propellar creates not the wings. Yes, thats right, the propellar works by lift just like the wings.

Take a model with a movable propellar on it and set the prop horizontal.  Now look at the angle of attack that the right side of the prop has compared to the left side.  Now rotate the nose up and check the angle of attack on the prop again.  You will see that the more you pitch up, and at slower speeds, the greater the difference is going to be between the left and right side.  That is why the left turn is most noticable on takeoff where you have zero to very little virticle climb so the head wind doesn't effect the physics much.

[T1loady]

The tendency to go left is called the "P" factor in real life.  I fly C-130's and they like to pull left as well.  At lower airspeed's this is a problem becuase the rudder doenst have enough bite(airflow)  to correct this. We have VMC's (min control speeds) for this reason. Below 80 KIAS we have to use nose wheel sterering becuase the rubber will not have enough (bite.. for lack of a better term)I find that the game is infact a pretty good model of the real life take off.  Once you begin heading in a direction the aircraft will want to continue that way unitl corrected.  I havent flown tail draggers in RL but I know they are a big pain in the butt.  Ground loops even by very good pilots are not unheard of. Just mine 2 cents..

SkipNutz