A prop turns what way?

[simplemind]

Do all propellers turn the same way on all planes? Clockwise or counter clockwise? Please don't make fun of me to much for asking this!

 

[Tim47SIP]

Well for the most part, single engine aircraft turn clockwise when viewing from inside the aircraft. Most multi engine engines are the same which is why the critical engine is normally the left one. There are some multi engine aircraft with counter rotating props such as the Senica. I have seen some single engine foreign aircraft with counter clockwise rotation but don't remember what model they were. I am not sure about the older radials. U.S. manufactured helicopters have a counter clockwise direction when looking from inside the pilots seat while European and Russian equipment have a clock wise rotation. I am not sure if this holds true to fixed wing as well. There are much more experienced guys that fly some of these airframes that should chime in to shed some light on the subject.

 

[simplemind]

Thanks for that info. Do you know about a Commonwealth Skyranger prop, which way from the inside?

 

[fokkers&beer]

The commonwealth should turn clockwise looking at it from your seat (It has a continental, but I can't recall what size engine the one I flew had).
To elaborate even further on other props, it seems mostly like European stuff rolls the other direction. I have seen some European radials turn C-Clockwise when looking at them from the cockpit. I have also sat behind my share of Rolls Royce Darts, which turn Counter clockwise while looking at them from behind. The strange thing is when you get out of flying something that turns backwards like those dang old Darts, your first few flights you automatically add the left rudder on Takeoff, wether its needed or not.

Hope this helps.

 

[mar]

This and that

The Metroliner (TPE331) props turn counter-clockwise. I think I flew that airplane for two years before I ever noticed it.

The Seminole also has counter-rotating props.

 

[FL420]

Not just the props

As I recall, British manufactured tractor(as opposed to pusher) engines turn counter-clockwise viewed from the cockpit while American manufactured tractor engines turn clockwise. The same engines mounted in the pusher position(ala C337, O-2 and Adam 500) will require the blades to have the opposite twist so the front and rear engines work together. I had to scratch my head a little before hand-propping the rear engine of a Skymaster. On a prop(or fan blade) the leading edge of the blade will be the one leading the rotation.

My last company operated B-757's with both the Rolls-Royce and the Pratt & Whitney engines. The RR's rotated CCW while the P&W's rotated CW. I haven't noticed which direction(s) the engines produced by American and European consortiums like CFM and IAE rotate. I also can't address engines manufactured by Eastern European companies.

 

[Flyerjosh]

The PW's on the Citation 560 (encore) are counter rotating within themselves. The N1 turns one way, while the N2 turns the other... makes for a very quiet engine... (no vib noise)

Any other aircraft that are this way? IE N1 turns opposite N2?

 

[PreRVSM]

I think the TPE 331 goes either way, depends on the gearbox, make, model.
You can look at the de-ice boot to tell wear the leading edge is and thus the direction it goes around. You don't turn a TPE 331 backwards due to the brushes in the GEN. They might chip.

 

[User546]

That's a good question. I had to stop and really think about it when you asked. Don't know that I really ever thought about which way a prop turns.

I think the more important thing to remember is which way to turn the "Mag Key". The prop will then take care of itself!

 

[Workin'Stiff]

The Duchess is the same as the Seneca... Counter rotating props...