[f-AA] Handpropped - pilotless takeoff

[Markl]

Dear Todd

I mean EVERYONE (including myself).   I do tailwheel training in my L-16
so many times there is a pilot in the front seat with licenses and hours.  Before I instituted this policy the pilot would use his own idea of what "cracked"  "cracked 1/4 " etc meant.  If his idea of 1/4" was not correct then we might not get started and then I would have to have him open the throttle and I make 10 blades in reverse and then reposition the prop and then walk back to see that he really put the throttle in IDLE (Clearing the engine) .  Why go through this dog and pony show with attendant hazards???   My throttle lock and "cracked" detent are on for EVERY start.  This means that we know it will start when it is supposed to and reduces the number of "leg swings" I have to make.    A case can be made for the idea that the more you prop the more likely you are to have damage to yourself.  Another reason for knowing that the fuel/air mixture is correct for the ambient conditions.
    Some years back I was doing a delivery of a J3 that had Carb problems.  Owner did not tell me this before or I would have had him repair carb before I attenmpted delivery.  On a memorable day at OSU airport I had to "clear" the engine 17 times before getting a successful start.  No, I did not make all these attempts successively.  It took me nearly 2 hours with many "time outs" for rest and new ideas.  Problem was that it flooded on the first pull when it was hot.

Non Pilots that I carry are put in the front seat for all flights as I can tell more about how they feel and what they are doing.  They also enjoy the flight better as they can see more.  They are treated just like the pilots and myself.  The throttle lock and "cracked" detent are in use and they are safer to have than pilots because they know they are not supposed to touch anything whereas the pilots will try and "help".  In several cases the "help" gave me a hot mag when I had left it in OFF

Thanks for asking these questions.  Anyone who feels like doing some hangar flying on this subject, just give me your phone number (costs me nothing to call you).

Fly frequently, many times, often, over and over again, and LOOK around,

AND prop safely

Regards,
Tony Markl
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Todd Pattist 
  To: aeronca at westmont.edu 
  Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 9:11 AM
  Subject: Re: [f-AA] Handpropped - pilotless takeoff


  Do I understand you to say that you recommend using the throttle lock even with a pilot on board who can reach the throttle, brakes and mag switch?  If you're referring to non-pilots and you have to solo start, do you start with them aboard and the pilot seat empty, or do you board them after you get it started?

  Markl wrote: 
    if they forgot to close the throttle, they'd probably have forgotten to close it and put on the lock :-) 

        Don't agree with this reasoning.  Why not?  If you always use a throttle lock (I do, even with folks in the cockpit) and you are human you will forget it sometimes.  If this happens once a year and you also only have the throttle wide open for clearing out, once a year -- the odds of these two "once a year" events occurring on the same day are infinitesimal.
        It gives you two things to do after clearing out with throttle open.  One - close throttle  Two  put throttle lock on.   You can forget either one and still have the throttle at idle.
      The reason I am a crusader for safer propping is that the FAA will make hand propping illegal sooner or later and I want later (after I am dead).  The more these blunders get in the news the sooner "safety /security requirements" will require electric starting.

      Fly frequently, many times, often, over and over again, and LOOK around,   and prop safely.

      Regards,
      Tony Markl


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