Originally Posted by
drac1
I understand P factor, but my wording could have been better.
It is about high AOA as well as changing the AOA and It's also about the AOA relative to the flight path.
P factor does have a greater affect with faster direction changes. Even though we change directions a lot in pattern, we do so gently and smoothly which will not have anywhere near the same effect as in 3D for eg. Push and pulls are performed while applying elevator and adding power smoothly, which doesn't really fit the criteria for P factor.
My opinion of course from my experience.
Brian said "faster direction changes" which result in greater angle of attack because airplanes have a time constant. There is a lag between establishing an angle of attack and developing a force normal to the airplane. Cn/α in missile terminology. Pattern planes seem to have short time constants but they are still there.
Jim O