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why don't single propeller planes spin on its axis??

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Xenochimera, Jul 22, 2009.

  1. Xenochimera

    Xenochimera Member

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    so this came up randomly when i was thinking about choppers. from what i've been told, the rear rotor on a chopper counteracts the rotational force generated by the main rotor, this is done so that the body of the chopper won't spin the opposite direction as the main rotor.

    now i am just wondering what keeps the body of single engined propeller planes like those from WWII and currently the redbull air race crafts from spinning in the opposite direction as the propeller blades??

    this probably sounds dumb but i'm curious.
     
    #1 Xenochimera, Jul 22, 2009
  2. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    The wings?
     
    #2 Air Langhi, Jul 22, 2009
  3. g1184

    g1184 Member

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    the ground when it's on the ground. The wings/tail/lift when it's moving forward. There's probably a maximum size engine you can put into one of those so it doesn't overcome the lift and spin the damn plane anyway.

    good question.
     
    #3 g1184, Jul 22, 2009
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  4. No Worries

    No Worries Member

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    They do. It just depends on your perspective. From the propeller's perspective, the plane spins around it.
     
    #4 No Worries, Jul 22, 2009
  5. Bandwagoner

    Bandwagoner Member

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    FALSE!
     
    #5 Bandwagoner, Jul 22, 2009
  6. rocketsjudoka

    rocketsjudoka Member

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    I would think it is the relative size of the propellor to the rest of the plane versus a helicopter to its rotor.
     
    #6 rocketsjudoka, Jul 22, 2009
  7. Kyakko

    Kyakko Member

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    what g1184 said and the weight of the plane as it moves through the air. i was watching a WWII documentary a while ago. the U.S. studied a downed zero and figured out the plane would make wider left banks. it's because they didn't add armor thus making the plane relatively light.
     
    #7 Kyakko, Jul 22, 2009
  8. TheTruth

    TheTruth Member

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    It's called torque reaction and is one of the 4 reasons why single engine planes have a left turning tendency. The fuselage actually tries to counteract the propeller spin and it causes a left turning tendency on single engine planes, you only really feel it the most during takeoff or high power, high pitch, slow airspeed situations, and you have to counter it with right rudder to keep the plane going straight.
     
    #8 TheTruth, Jul 22, 2009
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  9. Fyreball

    Fyreball Member

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    The sheer weight of the plane itself counterbalances the rotational forces coming from the engine, and the wings and tail give it stability when in the air. If you put too big of an engine in the plane, it would end up rotating around the axis, theoretically anyways.
     
    #9 Fyreball, Jul 22, 2009
  10. Fatty FatBastard

    Fatty FatBastard Member

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    Does this occur on all planes, or just single engine models?
     
    #10 Fatty FatBastard, Jul 22, 2009
  11. justtxyank

    justtxyank Member

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    Weight of plane, left turning tendency, pitch, My Life.
     
    #11 justtxyank, Jul 22, 2009
  12. updawg

    updawg Member

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    what about if it was on a treadmill?
     
    #12 updawg, Jul 22, 2009
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  13. bnb

    bnb Member

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    except for the engineering geeks, this reads like a stoner debate ;). Duuude.
     
    #13 bnb, Jul 22, 2009
  14. rimrocker

    rimrocker Member

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    Air foils are cool.
     
    #14 rimrocker, Jul 22, 2009
  15. IROC it

    IROC it Member

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    That's The Truth!
     
    #15 IROC it, Jul 22, 2009
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