Have you ever hand propped an aircraft?

[Lommer]

Just a question I thought I'd throw out there: how many of you AvCanadians have ever hand-propped a piston aircraft to start the engine? The reason I ask is that I had to today for the first time (I didn't leave the master on, the battery had been dying for a while and the engine didn't catch on the first and only crank). I'd read a bunch about hand propping before, but I'd never actually done it myself, so I was VERY glad there was someone around who knew what he was doing to show me how its done.

The follow-up question, to everyone who answered yes, is where did you learn to hand-prop, and does this knowledge constitute enough of a required skill that it should be taught at flight school? Also what are your tips for mitigating danger when hand-propping an aircraft? Any other tips for when you're alone?

[buck82]

Personally I prefer to hand prop from behind the propeller. In the supercub this works quite well in a one man show, left hand on cowling, right hand on prop. Keep your head and body outta the way of the prop arc and simply swing it through with your right arm.

To get her started; prime, then with master and mags OFF, pull to prop through with said technique three or four times. set prop to Top Dead Centre Mags and master ON, throttle set 1/2 inch (as per normal start) and swing the prop through.

When done properly it will start every single time, the same works for a 172 however there is a little more hop scotch inloved as you now have to reach through the passenger door to get to your engine controls... ALWAYS ASSUME YOUR MAGS ARE LIVE.

My starts have all been on floats, so just make sure your water rudders are down and you're pointed in the right direction.

[Benwa]

I am always amazed that the Top Guns coming from the only Flight College here in Quebec never learned hand propping...

But then again, they're god's gift to aviation, so they probably knew how at birth !

I dit it a few times on my 172. I do it from behind the prop and keep my left hand on the handle on the top cowling. That way my head cannot get into the prop's path !

Exact same procedure as Buck82 described...

I was taught by one of my car mechanics teacher... an old Bush Pilot. (I actually decided to go the aviation route because of him... ) He always said: "If Old Farts like me can hand prop an engine, there is no way you can't start the damn thing with a starter."

[ski_bum]

I was taught to do it infront of the aircraft, with another pilot in the cockpit with their feet planted on the brakes. Open palms on the prop, not curling your fingers over it and as you spin the prop taking a step backwards, it works well on 152/172. Higher compression engines probably wouldn't work because you don't actually grip the prop. Watch out for the kickback!! A buddy dislocated his sholder prop starting a twin because of this. Thats why you don't curl your fingers over the prop.

[oldtimer]

Do not attempt to hand spike any 6 cylinder aircraft engine. The prop on a 4 banger will always be high enough to hand spike properly. plus with only two compression strokes per revolution, the all important follow through will happen. A six is just too awkward. Most modern airplanes cannot be hand propped unless it has impulse mags. If the mags click when you turn it over, you can hand prop. Forget hand propping a fuel injected engine, it just will not work. If you are hand propping a small airplane like a Cub or Airknocker alone, spike it from behind the prop. If not, chock the wheels. Do not trust brakes and turn on the fuel, prime and pump etc, and then turn the fuel selector off. When the engine starts, you have more than enough time to enter the cockpit and turn the fuel back on. If it gets away from you, it will not go very far.

[Floats]

hand bombed a super cub, beaver and 180 all on floats from behind.

tried a couple times on a 185 and 206 and couldnt do it

floats

[Percy]

Sorry Oldtimer it can be done, I have hand proped many C185's, 2 & 3 bladers as well as C402's.[/code]

[Four1oh]

a word of caution about turning the prop: if you aren't trying to start it, turn it opposite to normal rotation. I say this because I once had a c150 START when I was just turning it on a cold morning. No key, mags off and master off, mixture off, yet it still ran for about 3 seconds. Whacked up my hands pretty good, but nothing more than bruises. Scared the shit out of me, and even worse, the plane wasn't chocked(no need if you aren't trying to start it, eh?) and it moved 3 feet towards me before it quit. I'm lucky it was just a 150, and was easy to turn, had it been a 172.... well...

Anyways, if someone tells you it's bad for the engine if you turn it backwards, tell them to @#$! off, Four1oh says so.

I have also intentionally started a c180 no problem when the starter quit on me inthe bush.

[fogghorn]

Do not attempt to hand spike any 6 cylinder aircraft engine. The prop on a 4 banger will always be high enough to hand spike properly. plus with only two compression strokes per revolution, the all important follow through will happen. A six is just too awkward. Most modern airplanes cannot be hand propped unless it has impulse mags. If the mags click when you turn it over, you can hand prop. Forget hand propping a fuel injected engine, it just will not work. If you are hand propping a small airplane like a Cub or Airknocker alone, spike it from behind the prop. If not, chock the wheels. Do not trust brakes and turn on the fuel, prime and pump etc, and then turn the fuel selector off. When the engine starts, you have more than enough time to enter the cockpit and turn the fuel back on. If it gets away from you, it will not go very far.

I have hand bombed a 6 cyl. fuel injected engine. Not out of choice either, it aint pretty, but it can be done..

[Four1oh]

Do not attempt to hand spike any 6 cylinder aircraft engine. The prop on a 4 banger will always be high enough to hand spike properly. plus with only two compression strokes per revolution, the all important follow through will happen. A six is just too awkward. Most modern airplanes cannot be hand propped unless it has impulse mags. If the mags click when you turn it over, you can hand prop. Forget hand propping a fuel injected engine, it just will not work. If you are hand propping a small airplane like a Cub or Airknocker alone, spike it from behind the prop. If not, chock the wheels. Do not trust brakes and turn on the fuel, prime and pump etc, and then turn the fuel selector off. When the engine starts, you have more than enough time to enter the cockpit and turn the fuel back on. If it gets away from you, it will not go very far.

I have hand bombed a 6 cyl. fuel injected engine. Not out of choice either, it aint pretty, but it can be done..

what plane was that?

[onceacop]

When your first three planes had no electrics it is done with little thought though I'm still respectful and cautious of the dangers.

http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/ ... tled-1.flv

[bbb]

DON't DO THIS BY YOURSELF THE FIRST TIME! Seriously people. If you are likely to need to handprop (bush guys, no electrics aircraft, cold weather, etc) make sure you get someone who KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING to show you before you find yourself on some strip (or lake) in the middle of nowhere with a dead starter/battery.
I find a conventional gear (taildragger) aircraft easier because the nose is higher and fits my swing better. Tricycle gear (on wheels) are at an awkward angle, that tends to have you pull in and down, tending to bring you toward the propeller. Always act as if the aircraft could start, esp when pulling prop thru for fuel/finding the sweet spot.

[Four1oh]

honestly it's really not a big deal, just be careful and use your head... and I don't mean against the prop either.

[pelmet]

Have hand propped a fuel injected, six cylinder IO-360. Successfully and unsuccessfully.

[Spinner]

Beaver on floats (some fun!)

C185 on wheel skiis

Citabria on floats

tried an Apache without any luck

all done from behind except the Apache. Make sure you are comfortable and have a good grip on something with your other hand. As others have said treat the prop as though the mags were on all the time. I remember one person doing the prime-turn prop on a cold engine in the winter when it fired up on him. He was infront of it but in position he would not be hurt. The mag switch was on one mag instead of off.

Learn from someone else who has done it before. It is a lot easier to have someone show you the proper way. If you are standing in front of the prop make sure of your balance. Make sure there is good footing and nothing in your way to get out of the way!!

[Snowgoose]

Aeronca Champ
Fleet Finch
Harvard, R1340 non geared.

Was surprised the Harvard went on the first pull.

[bmc]

When your first three planes had no electrics it is done with little thought though I'm still respectful and cautious of the dangers.

http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d157/ ... tled-1.flv

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the pictures and videos at your site. Thanks for sharing the link.

[Hedley]

Please don't hand prop unless you get someone (probably an old guy) who knows what he's doing, to show you how to do it safely. Try really hard not to do it standing on ice, or wearing a scarf. If you have to ask "why", just forget it.

Never, ever hand-prop unless you have a pilot at the controls, or the aircraft is tied down REALLY WELL.

P.S. I have hand-propped both 4 cyl and 6 cyl, 2 blade and 3 blade, carbureted and fuel injected, impluse coupling and shower of sparks (retard breaker).

4 cyl 2 blade carb w/impulse coupling is definitely the easiest.

6 cyl (AEIO-540) 3 blade fuel injected w/retard breaker was definitely the hardest. 6 cyl IO-360 is not so hard. 6 cyl O-470 in C-180 was less pleasant.

[Wilbur]

Oldtimer's advice about turing the fuel selector off is sound, and I would add a couple more points when propping alone. Start with the throttle closed, and keep young kids, dogs, and other people who may touch the throttle out of the airplane. I witnessed a Champ go roaring across an airport with a dog at the controls. The mut had bumped the throttle so the engine came to life with about 1500 rpm. The owner went ass over stabilzer as the airplane accelerated away, but fortunately he had the fuel selector off and it didn't go far before quitting. Having the throttle open just a little too much can produce many more rpm than expected and cause the airplane to jump it's chocks and get away. I made myself a throttle lock (stick with a couple notches) that prevented it from being moved out of the closed position. Didn't have to worry about kids, dogs, or anything else moving the throttle until I was in and strapped to my seat.

[Cat Driver]

I found that it is easier to use a Skidoo..just make sure you have the rope wound the correct way and amount.

[twotterflogger]

Please don't hand prop unless you get someone (probably an old guy) who knows what he's doing, to show you how to do it safely. Try really hard not to do it standing on ice, or wearing a scarf. If you have to ask "why", just forget it.

Never, ever hand-prop unless you have a pilot at the controls, or the aircraft is tied down REALLY WELL.

P.S. I have hand-propped both 4 cyl and 6 cyl, 2 blade and 3 blade, carbureted and fuel injected, impluse coupling and shower of sparks (retard breaker).

4 cyl 2 blade carb w/impulse coupling is definitely the easiest.

6 cyl (AEIO-540) 3 blade fuel injected w/retard breaker was definitely the hardest. 6 cyl IO-360 is not so hard. 6 cyl O-470 in C-180 was less pleasant.

I agree with you fully, however, I've found the 0-470 easy to hand bomb, as long as the engine's cooled down somewhat.

I dont think it's something that should be taught within the sylabus of the PPL/CPL, but it need's to be taught to everyone whom regularly fly off the beaten path...

[Spinner]

I found that it is easier to use a Skidoo..just make sure you have the rope wound the correct way and amount.

and hope it doesn't backfire about the time you hit the end of the rope

[C-GPFG]

...if you aren't trying to start it, turn it opposite to normal rotation.

I used to do that. I then found out it will ruin the vacuum pump(s).

[Krashman]

Cessna 140
Cessna 152


I know a guy that separated his shoulder trying to start one side of a Beech Travel Air

[MUSKEG]

DC-3 with some rope and a backhoe.