In this video I discuss the four left turning tendencies associated with an aircraft; P-Factor, Torque Effect, Spiraling Slip Stream, and Gyroscopic Precession.
P-Factor is the most notable of left turning tendencies of an aircraft. Always expect to use significant amount of right rudder pressure, at high angles of attack, slow airspeeds, and when you are applying maximum power, such as during takeoff and climbs. The amount of right rudder pressure required is directly proportional to the amount of power applied and angle of attack. So, with higher power settings and higher angles of attack significant right rudder pressure is required to keep the plane from turning and rolling to the left.
Torque Effect - This is associated with Newton’s third law of Physics. For every force applied there is an equal and opposite reactive force. So, as the propeller blade rotates clockwise, or to the right from the perspective of the cockpit, the aircraft wants to rotate to the left. Again, this causes the plane to want to roll and turn to the left, and again by applying right rudder, and a slight amount of right aileron, we can counter that left turning tendency.
Spiraling Slip Stream - due to the propeller turning clockwise, it will spiral the air around the aircraft and strike the back left side of the tail, pushing the tail of the airplane to the right, and the nose of the plane towards the left. Again, we counter that effect by applying right rudder pressure.
Gyroscopic Precession - This is most notably observed on tailwheel aircraft. With a spinning propeller, or effectively a spinning disk, it creates a gyroscopic effect. What this means is, that if you apply a moment force to a spinning disk, the acting force occurs 90 degrees later in the direction of rotation. So, with a tailwheel plane, if a moment force is applied to the top of the clockwise spinning disk (propellor) such as in a take-off roll condition, to enable the tail of the plane to go up, and the nose of the plane to go down, the resultant acting force on the spinning disk is 90 degrees to the right, which turns the nose of the plane left. Again, right rudder pressure is required to counter-act the left turning motion of the aircraft.