G'day,

Because a nose wheeled aircraft is sitting in a level attitude during the take-off run, there is no gyroscopic effect because the tail doesn't need to be raised. Does the gyroscopic effect however, have an effect on the rotation since the propeller is still having its pitch changed? Albeit slowly, nobody likes it when you yank the plane off the ground!

Cheers =]

Yes it does. Whenever the propeller changes its plane of rotation for any reason, there will always be a gyroscopic reaction by the propeller. However the degree of change of pitch attitude on take-off for the average GA aircraft is quite small and so the gyroscopic effect is barely noticeable. However, if there is a sudden pitch up [not a recommended procedure], it will cause a yaw to the right.

The effect is much more noticeable in aerobatic aircraft, especially high powered aircraft with a big propeller. I have often shown students of aerobatics that if you do a stall turn to the left, you can increase the yawing tendency by applying a little forward stick as you go around - pitch becomes yaw!

It should be remembered that the reason why some aircraft are not approved for aerobatics is sometimes because of the strength of the engine mounts. A heavy propeller under the influence of gyroscopic forces during rapid and large changes in attitude can impose high loads on engine mounts.

Also, some of the aerobatic manoeuvres you see at airshows nowadays are more gyroscopic than aerodynamic - I think that's a pity!