Originally Posted by
NGjockey
What I would like to know is your opinions and experiences regarding the subtle use of the rudder in situations where it would be perfectly warranted in smaller aircraft types, such as after departure or in a traffic pattern.
Depends on how you define "smaller aircraft types."
It is definitely the case that
propeller aircraft suffer from asymmetric engine and prop yaw-control effects that are
neglible in turbojet/fan aircraft.
P-factor, engine torque, gyroscopic precession, and (in singles) spiral propwash impacting the entire tail-fin assymetrically, all combine to make prop aircraft yaw, especially during climb-out (high nose angle). And the smaller the aircraft (relative to engine power and prop mass) the greater the effect.
Unless, of course, the aircraft is a multi-engine
and the manufacturer goes to the trouble and expense of installing engine(s) on one side that are "backwards" (counterrotating) and balance the yaw forces (Piper Seminole twin-trainer, for example).
See also: "Critical engine" - a problem very important to prop fliers if they lose an engine, but generally non-existent in flying jets.