hand propping - which method is best?

flyingfool · Post by **flyingfool** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:23

Behind left side. Prop upwards. Hummmm. Never thought of it.

I have only propped from the front. I may try both left and right behind this year in my Chief.

At home, I always tie the tail. And/or use brakes and wheel choks at the pumps.

By the way. Does anybody know about how long an A-65 will run on the fuel in the gascolator if you leave the fuel shut off?

If you prop with the fuel shut off and forget to turn the fuel on, I wonder if it will be just about equal to the time it takes me to taxi, do a run up and get airborne? That would be a bad thing. A VERY bad thing

SFC Hiatt · Post by **SFC Hiatt** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:19

It won't make it to the runway.....

Post by **joea** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:29

SFC Hiatt wrote:It won't make it to the runway.....

Hey Chris,

And how do you know?

Joe A

james gevay · Post by **james gevay** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:31

With just the float bowl and gascolator full it will run about 1 1/2 minutes, long enough to get to the cabin.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:32

Right as I latch the belt, it quits.

nkh

SFC Hiatt · Post by **SFC Hiatt** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 14:19

joea wrote:
SFC Hiatt wrote:It won't make it to the runway.....
Hey Chris,

And how do you know?

Joe A

But by the grace of God and a little luck there isn't much I don't know about what Champ's and Chief's will and won't do.

I heard they don't like being inverted very long........

Post by **joea** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 14:22

Not going to comment on that but it sure cleans out the floorboards!

flyingfool · Post by **flyingfool** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 13:41

I just did the math. Assuming that I have 4 ounces of fuel in the gascolator. And assuming 4 GPH. That would equal about 30 seconds of running time.

Now assume that at 1,000 RPM that time would double, that would mean it will run about 1 minute.

And now come to think of it. Many years ago when training in a Champ (A-65), I was instructed to shut the engine off by turning off the fuel. And it would run at idle for a minute or so before quitting. Then shutoff mag switch.

Why I didn't remember this before asking the question is beyond me.

I think I will now always prop my Chief with the fuel off. And then turn it on right away before even taking a seat.

Post by **joea** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 14:12

Only thing about this is that it puts a lot more useage on the "cutoff system" and you might want to inspect it a bit more often to make sure that its in good shape.

flyingfool · Post by **flyingfool** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 15:57

joea wrote:Only thing about this is that it puts a lot more useage on the "cutoff system" and you might want to inspect it a bit more often to make sure that its in good shape.

I must be missing something. What do you mean cut off system? Are you referring to the fuel shut off valve or some cutoff in the carb.?

I now normally shut down with the mag switch. But I still shut the fuel valve to off as a final checklist item. And one of the first checllist items I normally use is to turn the fuel on. Then prime etc. So I would be modifying my checklist to putting the turn fuel on to a latter point (after hand propping).

Do you (or did you) normally leave the fuel on all the time?

Post by **joea** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 00:04

Am talking about the system that goes from the knob to the fuel valve. Doing it like you are talking about doubles the use of this system.

Its been known to have issues like the rods coming off of the valve, or the rods themselves not opening the valve, so the more its used, the more chances there are for problems.

Joe

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 09:21

Agree with Joe here. It's kind of a Mickey Mouse system with very light tubing and cotter pins holding stuff together. Plus, the valves tend to leak anyway. As my carbureator doesn't leak, I don't shut the fuel off unless I have to, although I can certainly see why someone would want to shut it off if they're worried about it 'taking off' on them.

As far as hand propping, I always chock or tie down unless I can find someone experienced to prop for me. I usually prop from the front. I've tried from ahead of the strut but it's uncomfortable and it agrivates my bad rotator cuff.

Mike Berg

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:49

The main danger of shutting off the engine with the fuel valve is forgetting to turn the magneto switch to the off position (I've being there...).
Unless I am not planning to fly for a prolonged time, I leave the fuel valve open. It is embarrasing (to say the least) when your engine quits while taxing (I've being there).
Pablo

john-ranger · Post by **john-ranger** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 14:52

The best way for me to prop the engine is to push the button marked "starter". B&C is installed and working. Thanks to my A&P, AI. Best thing I ever did to my Champ. Highly recommended to anyone that has the C85-12 engine.

DMichaels · Post by **DMichaels** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 00:57

I just started this hand propping stuff. With my limited experience I use the from behind method.

fuel on prime fuel off. two turns through, mags on pull! I'm half way back to the door by the time it catches. Like others have said it is not a big fast pull. I do not stand there and wait for it to be running either. Fuel back on. I shut the fuel off on the way back at the taxi exit then shut the engine off with the mag switch at the hanger. Just too hard to remember to do it if I let the fuel run all the way out.

I do not plan on letting anyone else prop for me or have them sit in the plane. Just not worth it.

Dan