I am looking at acquiring a local Chief. On YouTube I noticed a device that I believe was referred to as a "safety mechanical starter." It is a lever and cable that actuates a small gear box that spins the prop, eliminating hand propping.
The A+P said that they are not hard to install but that it is difficult to find the parts.
Anyone have any information on this system - availability of parts?
Thanks, George
Parts for Mechanical Propping System
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flyingfool
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Are you talking about the manual mechanical starter it is called the McDowl (spelling) starter and was original equipment on Chiefs.
There is another outfit out there right now (safestarter or some such name) that uses a cordless drill, a universal joint and a pull knob in the cockpit. When you pull the knob it rotates the drill so that the gear mesh with a starter ring attached to the prop flange. As far as I know it is not STC specifically for a Chief but has been STC for Luscomes and Taylorcrafts. It works good from a starting point of view. Aesthetically it is horrible. As the starter ring gear is exposed. If you want more info I may have saved something somewhere in cyberspace.
I never propped a plane before my Chief. I was inside several planes but never pulled the prop. Now that I've done it, it is not a big deal. And at this point, I'm healthy enough etc that it is not worth it to me to go through the time and expense to convert to one of these other methods. besides hand propping is my way of keeping history alive. That's the way they used to do it, so that's the way I'm going to do it.
There is another outfit out there right now (safestarter or some such name) that uses a cordless drill, a universal joint and a pull knob in the cockpit. When you pull the knob it rotates the drill so that the gear mesh with a starter ring attached to the prop flange. As far as I know it is not STC specifically for a Chief but has been STC for Luscomes and Taylorcrafts. It works good from a starting point of view. Aesthetically it is horrible. As the starter ring gear is exposed. If you want more info I may have saved something somewhere in cyberspace.
I never propped a plane before my Chief. I was inside several planes but never pulled the prop. Now that I've done it, it is not a big deal. And at this point, I'm healthy enough etc that it is not worth it to me to go through the time and expense to convert to one of these other methods. besides hand propping is my way of keeping history alive. That's the way they used to do it, so that's the way I'm going to do it.
Emergency Start
The other value to this mechanical starter might be for emergency starting after the engine quits. Are there other procedures to attempt to restart an engine that requires hand-propping?
Yiasou, (a real name would help)
The McDowell "Safety starter" is original equipment on Chiefs. That said most of them were taken off and thrown away as many people do not know how to use them.
Yes they are available "from time to time" but are not cheap. The other option is mentioned above but its fugly and is a rechargeable drill with a shaft going over the top of the engine to a massive flywheel that you mount on the crank flange.
Third choice is if you have a -12 engine, you can mount a electric starter on the engine and put a "total loss" (you recharge the battery every few weeks or so) battery.
Joe A
The McDowell "Safety starter" is original equipment on Chiefs. That said most of them were taken off and thrown away as many people do not know how to use them.
Yes they are available "from time to time" but are not cheap. The other option is mentioned above but its fugly and is a rechargeable drill with a shaft going over the top of the engine to a massive flywheel that you mount on the crank flange.
Third choice is if you have a -12 engine, you can mount a electric starter on the engine and put a "total loss" (you recharge the battery every few weeks or so) battery.
Joe A
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Paul Agaliotis
- Posts: 2589
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- Location: San Martin, California
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Kalispera George,
The McDowell starters are available used only. I have made some installation brackets should you find one. Inflight starting could be accomplished but is not the easiest thing to accomplish. The starter only provides about 1/4 turn of the crank. Most people prime the aircraft as you would for hand propping and use the starter to swing it through with the mags on.
Third generation from Zakynthos.
Paul
The McDowell starters are available used only. I have made some installation brackets should you find one. Inflight starting could be accomplished but is not the easiest thing to accomplish. The starter only provides about 1/4 turn of the crank. Most people prime the aircraft as you would for hand propping and use the starter to swing it through with the mags on.
Third generation from Zakynthos.
Paul
Mailing Adress : Paul Agaliotis 2060 E. San Martin, San Martin,Calif. 95046
Emergency Start In Flight
Joe A,
Thanks for the info. What is the procedure for engine out without a starter? Pray and land the Aeronca?
I once saw a picture of a guy in fight standing on the right wheel and reaching for the prop to re-start. Had to be a stunt, I hope.
George
BTW, "Yiasou" is Greek for "Cheers"
Thanks for the info. What is the procedure for engine out without a starter? Pray and land the Aeronca?
I once saw a picture of a guy in fight standing on the right wheel and reaching for the prop to re-start. Had to be a stunt, I hope.
George
BTW, "Yiasou" is Greek for "Cheers"
Efkadisto
Paul,
I appreciate the information. I don't mind the hand propping but would like an option if the engine ever quits.
I am also third generation. Will be 64 next month. Dad's side from Kiparisi in Peloponnese and Mom's from area that is now part of Turkey. Brought up in Texas. Dad from Palo Alto. I lived in San Jose, Ca from 1980 - 1989 and left three weeks before the quake. We will be back for a visit June 10-21 staying in Santa Clara but traveling around up and down coast. We miss CA.
Kalinickta, Yiorgos (aka, George)
I appreciate the information. I don't mind the hand propping but would like an option if the engine ever quits.
I am also third generation. Will be 64 next month. Dad's side from Kiparisi in Peloponnese and Mom's from area that is now part of Turkey. Brought up in Texas. Dad from Palo Alto. I lived in San Jose, Ca from 1980 - 1989 and left three weeks before the quake. We will be back for a visit June 10-21 staying in Santa Clara but traveling around up and down coast. We miss CA.
Kalinickta, Yiorgos (aka, George)
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Paul Agaliotis
- Posts: 2589
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 18:49
- Location: San Martin, California
- Contact:
George,
When you get back to CA let me know. I have a couple of Champs at the flight school in Livermore. I'd love to show you around and have some starter stuff you can see.
I'm south of San Jose in San Martin just east of South County airport.
The picture of the guy hand starting the CUB in flight was taken over Concord CA. It was a family friend and is a real photo.
Paul
When you get back to CA let me know. I have a couple of Champs at the flight school in Livermore. I'd love to show you around and have some starter stuff you can see.
I'm south of San Jose in San Martin just east of South County airport.
The picture of the guy hand starting the CUB in flight was taken over Concord CA. It was a family friend and is a real photo.
Paul
Mailing Adress : Paul Agaliotis 2060 E. San Martin, San Martin,Calif. 95046
Paul,
I would love to meet you and see your Champs. I fondly remember the smell of garlic coming up to San Jose from your area (Gilroy).
That is an amazing photograph. Did he get it started? I showed the photo to my CFI last year for my BFR and tailwheel endorsement and asked if we were going to practice that procedure. I hope that your friend is still doing well.
Based on our current schedule the best time to get together with you will probably be early during the week of June 15. We will be traveling most of the time down the coast to Cayucos and back up as far as Santa Rosa.
Yiasou, George
I would love to meet you and see your Champs. I fondly remember the smell of garlic coming up to San Jose from your area (Gilroy).
That is an amazing photograph. Did he get it started? I showed the photo to my CFI last year for my BFR and tailwheel endorsement and asked if we were going to practice that procedure. I hope that your friend is still doing well.
Based on our current schedule the best time to get together with you will probably be early during the week of June 15. We will be traveling most of the time down the coast to Cayucos and back up as far as Santa Rosa.
Yiasou, George