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Old 06-06-2007 | 12:16 PM
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blw
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From: Opelika, AL
Default RE: Propeller weights

True gyroscopic effects are minimal and probably very difficult to really pinpoint unless in a controlled environment like a test stand with sensors. That is why I asked. P factor effects account for probably 99.9% of similar effects. Also, a slow pitching up would skew things as the engine probably leans and RPMs increase. Angle of attack would change things, so it would be confusing if you were looking for pure gyroscopic effect tendencies. Yaw (or roll) has its own set of problems mixing together. The V-22 would probably have to have a swashplate sort of system to apply the force 90 degrees before the desired effect since those blades are very long. It would be interesting to look into on that full scale plane.

Helicopters do have to compensate for it due to very long blades and the mass at the end of them. Same thing with bicycle tires when we hold them as they spin. The swashplate on helicopters is where this is compensated for. You can also feel some gyroscopic effects from aerodynamic forces such as blowback when the helicopter has a slight left roll and pitch up as it accelerates. The pilot has to apply right roll to cancel the slight rolling tendency for a second or two. This is also called transverse flow effect.