View Full Version : Re: Light twins not using contra-rotating propellers
RomeoMike
November 30th 06, 08:43 PM
Mark Levin wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> As was pointed out to me the Beechcraft Baron does not use contra-rotating
> propellers.  A bit of research showed me that most U.S. built light twins do
> not use them either.
One twin that I have experience with, the Seminole, does have counter 
rotating props.
Danny Dot
November 30th 06, 09:55 PM
"Mark Levin" > wrote in message 
 ...
>
> On 30-Nov-2006, RomeoMike > wrote:
>
>> One twin that I have experience with, the Seminole, does have counter
>> rotating props.
>
> Out of curiosity does this have a marked effect on it's operation compared
> with the other twins you've flown?
> Any procedures different because of it?
Most aircraft engines rotate counter clockwise as you are in front of the 
aircraft looking at it.  It is desirable for single engine operations, the 
downward stroke of the propeller be next to the fuselage.  For this the 
right engine would need to rotate clockwise (as looking back from the 
front).  Most twins don't do this and right engine only handling become 
"difficult".
Danny Dot
>
> ml
RomeoMike
December 1st 06, 01:26 AM
Mark Levin wrote:
> 
> Out of curiosity does this have a marked effect on it's operation compared
> with the other twins you've flown?
> Any procedures different because of it?
My solo multi time is limited to light twins. The most noticeable 
difference in "normal" flight is the decrease or absence of left turning 
tendency in high AOA situations such as TO and climb because P factor 
and torque from one engine cancels those factors from the other engine. 
The other main difference with counter rotating props, of course, is the 
lack of a critical engine. In other words, no more asymmetrical thrust 
is produced if one engine fails compared to the other.Therefore, turning 
tendencies are less when practicing critical engine out procedures (or 
Vmc demos) than they would be in the conventional set up. I wouldn't say 
that any procedures are different. One still practices the same things. 
There is still a lot of asymmetric thrust in engine out scenarios. A 
multi instructor once told me that a twin is like any other  airplane, 
but when it loses an engine it becomes a sled. I would add, "even if it 
has counter rotating props."
  and
Jim Macklin
December 1st 06, 02:00 AM
The symmetric thrust in normal operation is the main 
difference, Vmca is still present anytime the engines are 
not on the centerline.  Having the engines effect the thrust 
line the same makes the speed at which you stall, spin and 
die the same, it doe snot eliminate the danger.
"RomeoMike" > wrote in message 
...
|
|
| Mark Levin wrote:
|
| >
| > Out of curiosity does this have a marked effect on it's 
operation compared
| > with the other twins you've flown?
| > Any procedures different because of it?
|
| My solo multi time is limited to light twins. The most 
noticeable
| difference in "normal" flight is the decrease or absence 
of left turning
| tendency in high AOA situations such as TO and climb 
because P factor
| and torque from one engine cancels those factors from the 
other engine.
| The other main difference with counter rotating props, of 
course, is the
| lack of a critical engine. In other words, no more 
asymmetrical thrust
| is produced if one engine fails compared to the 
other.Therefore, turning
| tendencies are less when practicing critical engine out 
procedures (or
| Vmc demos) than they would be in the conventional set up. 
I wouldn't say
| that any procedures are different. One still practices the 
same things.
| There is still a lot of asymmetric thrust in engine out 
scenarios. A
| multi instructor once told me that a twin is like any 
other  airplane,
| but when it loses an engine it becomes a sled. I would 
add, "even if it
| has counter rotating props."
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RomeoMike
December 1st 06, 05:11 AM
Jim Macklin wrote:
> The symmetric thrust in normal operation is the main 
> difference, Vmca is still present anytime the engines are 
> not on the centerline.  Having the engines effect the thrust 
> line the same makes the speed at which you stall, spin and 
> die the same, it doe snot eliminate the danger.
> 
Guess you're not disagreeing with me, so maybe you meant to respond to Mark.
Jim Macklin
December 1st 06, 06:49 AM
Probably, sometimes keeping the thread and the thought 
processes all in order, a strain.
Did I really get the typo below that says, deer mucous [sort 
of]?
"RomeoMike" > wrote in message 
...
|
|
| Jim Macklin wrote:
| > The symmetric thrust in normal operation is the main
| > difference, Vmca is still present anytime the engines 
are
| > not on the centerline.  Having the engines effect the 
thrust
| > line the same makes the speed at which you stall, spin 
and
| > die the same, it doe snot eliminate the danger.
| >
|
| Guess you're not disagreeing with me, so maybe you meant 
to respond to Mark.
Sylvain
December 2nd 06, 02:47 AM
Mark Levin wrote:
 
> On 30-Nov-2006, RomeoMike > wrote:
> 
>> One twin that I have experience with, the Seminole, does have counter
>> rotating props.
> 
> Out of curiosity does this have a marked effect on it's operation compared
> with the other twins you've flown?
> Any procedures different because of it?
the Duchess also have counter rotating props.  The difference is that
it doesn't have 'critical engine' and should behave similarly whether 
you loose the left or right engine.
--Sylvain
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