PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Effect of crosswind on fixed wing field performance
Old 18th September 2005 | 01:35
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barit1
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From: flyover country USA
Crosswind - critical direction?

On a prop-powered craft, a bit of rudder (sometimes a LOT of rudder) is required to hold the runway centerline on takeoff - the old "torque" effect (rotating slipstream against the fin, I'm told).

For a craft here in the Colonies with a clockwise-turning prop, it's right rudder that's required. (You backwards folks can do it your own way!)

If it's a left crosswind of any strength, you may well run out of rudder authority unless power is applied with caution. A lovely old taildragger met an unkind fate near here due to this effect.
Thus reduced takeoff performance is due to the reduced / delayed power used.

However, an equal but opposite crosswind would pose no such problem.

Are you considering the direction of crosswind in this study?
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