Slipstream swirl and P-factor are most prominent under which conditions?

Slipstream swirl and P-factor are aerodynamic phenomena that occur prominently under conditions of high lift, high angle of attack (AOA), and high power settings.

At high power settings, the engine produces a significant amount of thrust, which in turn generates a larger volume of airflow around the aircraft. When the aircraft is at a high angle of attack, particularly during maneuvers like takeoff or slow flight, the airflow over the wings is more turbulent and can create a pronounced slipstream. This slipstream tends to swirl around the aircraft due to the propeller's rotation, interacting with the wing and other surfaces.

Additionally, when the angle of attack is high, the descending propeller blades will produce differential thrust, which is known as P-factor. This results in the aircraft yawing to the left (for a clockwise-turning propeller), necessitating corrective pilot inputs to maintain straight flight. Both slipstream swirl and P-factor become more significant at high lift and high AOA because the airflow is heavily influenced by the propeller's wake, thereby enhancing these effects.

Understanding the conditions under which these aerodynamic effects become pronounced is crucial for pilots, particularly when navigating slow flight, takeoff, or climb scenarios where high lift and high power settings are used