Proping Question

"Cubdriver" usenet AT danford DOT net wrote in message
...
On Wed, 16 May 2007 22:00:14 -0700, C J Campbell
wrote:

People will say it is technically impossible, but I think it is wishful
thinking. An engine may not run backwards very well,

During World War II (really!) I worked on a farm in Concord, Mass.
There was a great steel-wheeled tractor that was started with a hand
crank. One time the tractor backfired while the lad was spinning the
crank, and the engine started running backwards. He jumped aboard and
had a great time wheeling it around the yard, one speed forward and
three in reverse. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

That was a Diesel engine, correct?

--
Geoff
The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com
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On 2007-05-17 14:59:44 -0700, "Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" The Sea Hawk at
wow way d0t com said:

"Cubdriver" usenet AT danford DOT net wrote in message
...
On Wed, 16 May 2007 22:00:14 -0700, C J Campbell
wrote:

People will say it is technically impossible, but I think it is wishful
thinking. An engine may not run backwards very well,

During World War II (really!) I worked on a farm in Concord, Mass.
There was a great steel-wheeled tractor that was started with a hand
crank. One time the tractor backfired while the lad was spinning the
crank, and the engine started running backwards. He jumped aboard and
had a great time wheeling it around the yard, one speed forward and
three in reverse. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

That was a Diesel engine, correct?

My great uncle Ern was nearly killed by a Model T Ford that he cranked
up and the engine backfired and ran backward. 'Course, that guy was
nearly killed so many times...
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor

On Thu, 17 May 2007 17:59:44 -0400, "Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" The Sea
Hawk at wow way d0t com wrote:

crank. One time the tractor backfired while the lad was spinning the
crank, and the engine started running backwards. He jumped aboard and
had a great time wheeling it around the yard, one speed forward and
three in reverse. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

That was a Diesel engine, correct?

I doubt it. We didn't even know what disel was!

At least I didn't. This tractor was built in the 1930s or 1920s,
before the days of pneumatic tires.

On May 15, 5:59 am, "Doug Palmer" wrote:
Several pilots found themselves in a debate at our field yesterday. The
issue is weather it is safer to move the propeller on a (parked) aircraft in
the direction of usual engine rotation, or opposite usual rotation. This is
assuming that the propeller needs to move for some reason.

The reasonings ranged from "you should not turn an engine backwards" to
"turning the engine backwards disarms the impulse coupling", to several
issues in between.

Any thoughts from the groups collective wisdom?

Of course turning it backward may damage the vac pump but I've never
flown a hand prop'ped airplane that had a vac system.
The problem with turning it backwards is that it can still on forward.
If you turn it and stop near the compression, it will then turn back
the other way. So, either way assume its hot.
Once you've been flying a hand propped airplane for awhile you will
realize that it is not safe or reasonable to use a full body kick
every time you turn the prop. So I would pull the prop through with an
open palm hand such that if the prop did start I would be ok (some of
the old guys actually start the plane this way). Then, when its time
to start, I hit the mags and do a full kick. If you primed the engine
correctly it should only take about an 1/8 of a turn for it to fire.
BTW: I would never hand prop a nosewheel plane.

-Robert

Robert M. Gary wrote:
BTW: I would never hand prop a nosewheel plane.

Personally, I wouldn't hand prop any plane. I got too many nicks and
cuts as a kid finger propping model airplanes. (-:

Which reminds me of a story. One winter a few years ago the FBO had a
152 that was being stubborn in the cold weather, so one of the line guys
helped out by hand propping it for the pilot. He was wearing gloves and
when the plane started, one of his gloves came off. The prop threw the
glove about 30 feet and the pilot freaked out because he thought the
guy's hand was still in the glove! He shut the engine down to check on
him. The line guy wasn't happy about having to hand prop it again...


-m
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Robert M. Gary wrote:
BTW: I would never hand prop a nosewheel plane.


Just out of curiosity, why does a nosewheel make a difference?

I used to have an old 172 (with the cheesey 20 amp generator) that required
a handprop after most night flights. I didn't seem any different than
handpropping a tailwheel equiped 170.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

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"Robert M. Gary" wrote

BTW: I would never hand prop a nosewheel plane.

I think I know the reason for this opinion, but I would still be interested
in hearing your reasoning.

Why no hand propping a nose dragger for you?
--
Jim in NC

On May 15, 2:47 pm, "Morgans" wrote:
"Robert M. Gary" wrote

BTW: I would never hand prop a nosewheel plane.

I think I know the reason for this opinion, but I would still be interested
in hearing your reasoning.

Why no hand propping a nose dragger for you?

Because the top arch of the prop is close to my head. When teaching
students to hand prop the biggest challenge is to get them to stand
close enough to the prop. Standing too far back is much more dangerous
than standing too close. The worst thing that could happen is to fall
into the prop, something that can only happen if you are standing back
and leaning into it.

-Robert

"Robert M. Gary" wrote

Because the top arch of the prop is close to my head. When teaching
students to hand prop the biggest challenge is to get them to stand
close enough to the prop. Standing too far back is much more dangerous
than standing too close. The worst thing that could happen is to fall
into the prop, something that can only happen if you are standing back
and leaning into it.

I was wrong. I had not heard that exact variation, before. g

Kicking though is still too close, even if you are swinging your body away
from the tip?
--
Jim in NC

Kicking though is still too close, even if you are swinging your body away
from the tip?

What exactly is "kicking"?

Jose
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