RCU Forums - View Single Post - Why most modellers prefer left counterclockwise turns with their planes?
Old 01-03-2014 | 09:47 AM
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jlsimon
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From: East Stroudsburg NJ
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ARUP and RCRC are correct. Precession or p-factor is a gyroscopic effect caused by the spinning of the propeller. This gyroscopic effect on the airframe causes the aircraft to want to turn to the left. As a result when flying an aircraft one must apply input to the right to compensate. The higher the rpm, the more compensation is needed. So when flying your aircraft into a left turn, it seems easier to turn to the left. Conversely, it takes more effort to control the aircraft making a right hand turn. And I don't know about you, I don't want to work harder than I have to when flying my airplane. So I enjoy turning to the left which makes me tend to do it more, so I get better at it than going to the right. Like any other skill, you have to practice turning to right and eventually you become comfortable with it. Otherwise, you start to avoid turning to the right. At my field, I've seen pilots grimace and moan when they learn its a right-hand pattern. Its just too uncomfortable for them as they don't enjoy the how the airplane seems a little more uncontrollable to them making that right hand turn. They are just used to the airplane actually making the turn for them when going to the left.

Regards,
Jerry