Why doesn't a single engine prop need a counter roter, like a helicopter, to keep from spinning out of control

Answer 1

Single engine propeller driven aircraft do in fact have to deal with the same issue. In many cases, you will hear about pilots talking about "left turning tendencies." The propeller is exactly the reason for those left turning tendencies. In straight and level flight however, there are some design features to most planes that keep them going straight.

1) The engine is mounted at a slight incline and points slightly (about 1 degree) to the right
2) The vertical stabilizer is not perfectly aligned with the longitudinal axis, but instead is canted a little to one side to keep the plane flying straight.
3) The left wing is very slightly larger than the right wing, meaning it produces more lift and counteracts the left-turn to a small degree

These only apply in straight and level flight though, once you bank the aircraft, you need to correct for the left-turning tendencies by use of right rudder. Some maneuvers produce more left-turning than others (obviously).

Answer 2

Because the wings have a large surface area compared to the prop (unlike a helicopter which has a large rotor and not much else in the way of surface area to dampen the rotation without the tail rotor). The elevators, rudder, and stabilizers have no effect on propeller torque.

The most torque is produced at full power when the plane is stationary. Since the plane is on the gear the torque can't do much. By the time the plane has take off the wings have more than enough aerodynamic force to counteract the torque. Some very powerful aircraft (the Sea Fury comes to mind) are powerful enough to flip over if the throttle is rammed forward while stationary but they are more the exception than the rule.

Slipstream and P-factor have much more of an effect on the aircraft and these are counteracted by the rudder and fin.

Answer 3

FYI - The Sopwith Camel used during WW1 had a rotary radial engine. Meaning the crankshaft was bolted to the airframe and the whole engine, crankcase, pistons and all spun around. This created a lot of rotational force making the place very unstable. However, instability means menuverability and the pilots that mastered the Sopwith Camel became lethal in the skies.

Now the differences between a helipoter and an airplane is how the engine is mounted and which way the torque is acting on the aircraft. The helipoters torque is horizontal which will tent to spin it horizontally which is why it needs the tail rotor. An airplane the torque trys to roll the plane and this is easily compensated for by use of the ailerons.

Answer 4

The simplest answer is that

1) an airplane has surfaces (wing and stabilizer) that limit and/or allow the pilot to control the effects of the torque.

The only problem is that these surfaces don't work as well when the airplane is moving slowly (especially take-off). When the airplane is at full power (max torque), but flying slowly, the pilot has to do more to correct for the torque effect.

2)There is less torque to be managed, since the prop doesn't have to be literally lifting the plane (as a helicopter blade does).

Answer 5

all of the wings and stabilisers help to counter the torque of the proppeler. plus the mass of the prop is much less than the mass of rotor.
imagine it so as if the torque of the propeller was trying to force the aircraft to do a roll. all surfaces counter this effort, while on helicopter there is no such large surface.

Answer 6

Several factors

1) Prop is quite small compared to mass of the plane
2) Planes have wings and horizontal/vertical stabilizers

However, in WW1, some of the planes turn in one direction much better than the other due to the gyroscopic effect. So while the effects are fairly negligible now, it's NOT non-existent.

Answer 7

because a single engine aircraft uses a horizontal stabilizer to maintain the engines torque. When taking off there is more torque from the engine and the rudder is used to compensate for the additional torque.

Answer 8

Sounds like the tail rotor mechanism has gone to the movies

Answer 9

Because the torque is not nearly so great vis-a-vis the mass of the aircraft.

Answer 10

Because airplanes have wings that can be trimmed to counteract the torque.