Sean,
This brings up another point. For planes w/ massive built-in down thrust, like some trainers, won't the P-factor pull the plane to the right during steady-state forward flight?
If you read LOUW's post because the plane is pulling right from unequal thrust it will also have a nose down moment because of gyroscopic precision. Overall, it would cause it to pull down and right (i think).
I also think it brings up some interesting implications regarding putting down thrust in speed planes. Even though the angle of down thrust may be much less, because of higher speed the thrust difference that would be created my be fairly large. Overall, wouldn't this reduce top speed?
Louw,
Since on a tail dragger the plane would not have the freedom to pitch up (until the tail came of the ground) wouldn't there still be left yaw or would this be dampened out by the gyroscopic precision? Does gyroscopic effect require and actual change in the direction before it takes place? Does the rate of change effect the strength of the effect? Since, the thrust difference is going to be related to the forward speed would a gradual change in the thrust difference lesson the gyroscopic effect?
Bill,
If it works for you great, there are many aerodynamic web site that report the same information as you...that angle of attack is responsible for the thrust difference. I'm just trying to learn a little more about aerodynamics and since I'm not aerodynamicist, I figured I would run my understanding past more learned people to see if I was missing something....ie gyroscopic precision as an example....or if I had screwed up in my conclusions. Simplification has its place and if it helps then I'm all for it.
Steve