An old hand prop accident video

[KSCessnaDriver]

That's pretty cool - how much does it weigh? Aeronca had a cool starter type thing a long, long time ago. I need to ask around about it - it was something that could be done from the cockpit.

Can't weigh that much. How much does a cordless drill weight? Add that and probably 10 pounds for all the other stuff.

The Aeronca starter your talking about, is it the McDowell starter? Used mostly on Chiefs, was really just a pull start from the cockpit. http://www.joea.com/mcdowell_safety_starter_information.htm

 

[WacoFan]

Can't weigh that much. How much does a cordless drill weight? Add that and probably 10 pounds for all the other stuff.

The Aeronca starter your talking about, is it the McDowell starter? Used mostly on Chiefs, was really just a pull start from the cockpit. http://www.joea.com/mcdowell_safety_starter_information.htm

Yes. There was also an old-time starter thing that worked on pneumatic air - similar to the current Vendeyev radials. I am not sure how well it worked - saw it on an old homebuilt once - like a Rose Parakeet or a Knight Twister or something.

 

[rframe]

Ok. But for somebody with no one around, I don't think that single pilot propping is inherently bad, when the aircraft is properly secured, including being tied down.

I've propped on my own and have no problem doing it. In some ways I almost prefer it over trusting someone else. It allows me to set the switches, throttle, and fuel shutoff as I see fit and I know they are right because I did it. I just tie down the tail and chock it. When it's running and I know the throttle isn't too far open and/or broken and the plane isn't going to take off on me then I go back, untie the tail, and as I get in I unchock and I'm off.

Waco hits it in on the head though, that prop should always make you uncomfortable. Even if you are confident it should have your full respect.

 

[rframe]

Here's a neat idea that somebody came up with, to get rid of hand starting. Looks kind of hokey, but it must work. http://quid.us/hummel/starter.html

On the one hand that's smart, on the other hand that looks ridiculous. I'm not sure which hand is heavier. Hehehe.