What would happen if a multi engine operated symmetrically? So if one engine were to rotate counter-clockwise and the other clockwise. What are the advantages and downsides to this?
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1Not exactly an duplicate, but I believe you can find your answer here. – kevin May 16 '17 at 17:42
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2Related – Pondlife May 16 '17 at 17:46
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1Are you asking about propeller engines, jet engines, or both? – fooot May 16 '17 at 18:53
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With symmetrically rotating engines, the P-Factor is, assuming both engines run at the same power, cancelled out. That means the plane will fly straight, instead of yawing to one direction. – Noah Krasser May 16 '17 at 19:32
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@NoahKrasser Looks like the start of an answer if this isn't a dupe. – KorvinStarmast May 16 '17 at 19:58
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Oddly, I would consider counter-rotating engines to be asymmetric, but maybe that's just me... – FreeMan May 16 '17 at 21:01
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@FreeMan There are several types of geometric symmetry, including rotational, scale, helical, etc. The OP seems to be considering mirror symmetry. What you appear to be considering could be a type of rotational symmetry, if only taking the propellers into account. – J W May 17 '17 at 02:29
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I find strange that the A400M case (anticlockwise on engines 2 and 4, clockwise on engines 1 and 3) is not yet mentionned. – Manu H May 17 '17 at 13:38
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A single engine plane yaws to the opposite direction of the engine spinning. This is called the p-factor It's the same with a twin, with both engines rotating into the same direction. Rudder input is needed to fly straight.
When the engines operate symmetrically, this effect cancelles out. The plane is easier to fly.
It's also explained in this video about twins.
An example of a counter-rotating multi-engine plane is the Lockheed P-38 Lightning.
[The P-38] featured two 1,000 hp (746 kW) turbosupercharged 12-cylinder Allison V-1710 engines fitted with counter-rotating propellers to eliminate the effect of engine torque.
Counter-rotation was achieved by the use of "handed" engines, which meant the crankshaft of each engine turned in the opposite direction of its counterpart.
If the engines are turning in the same direction, then if either fails, the net p-factor will not be the same. See: Critical engine.
Noah Krasser
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