hand propping - which method is best?

[jc pacquin]

one and one half minutes is just enough time for the critter to wind up like the picture of the Champ halfway into a hangar. Many prop their own, succesfully for years with no problems! But....theres that one time where Murphys law steps in and bingo one goes from hero to ass h... in seconds. I got away with it for years but would not do it now (liability, lawsuits, etc) It aint worth it. The guy with his plane half way thru the hangar wall probably did it MANY times without an "Incident", but then one day.......JC

[DMichaels]

one and one half minutes is just enough time for the critter to wind up like the picture of the Champ halfway into a hangar. Many prop their own, succesfully for years with no problems! But....theres that one time where Murphys law steps in and bingo one goes from hero to ass h... in seconds. I got away with it for years but would not do it now (liability, lawsuits, etc) It aint worth it. The guy with his plane half way thru the hangar wall probably did it MANY times without an "Incident", but then one day.......JC

Do not really understand that. (Lawsuit) should be a lot less doing it yourself. Helper in the plane, pulls throttle wrong way, Mags not off, and so on. Helper propping, trips falls into the prop. Sticks his hand out to tell you he did good, no hand.

Liability less, me myself and I. You cannot bring lawsuit on yourself.

Dan

[MikeB]

Last year at Oshkosh I ran into the situation where I was ready to leave but was uncomfortable with either chocking or tying the plane down, then hand propping, etc. with all the other planes and people around. Usually at our own airport that's what I do as there's often no one around except me. Anyway, I found a guy who flew a Citabria and at least knew what heel brakes were for, instructed him on the brakes and throttle, sat him in the seat and propped the plane myself before getting him out and me in. Not the ideal answer but all I could think of at the time. One reason the L16 is going to have a starter (if I ever get it done).

By the way, I now stand behind the prop when starting it. You do need to be careful though either way.

MIke

[DMichaels]

Mike, I was explaining to an older fellow (The owner of the Champ I am redoing) on how it is much better from behind. While explaining it I noticed that you can hold onto or push against the strut if it moves some. Much better in my opinion than being in front and just getting run over.

Dan

[Holcombe]

With a 65 horse, proping one handed from the rear is easy.
But, with my C-90 I find one handed a bit of a struggle, and choose to prop from in front.
But like a kindergarden class, or the Ocean, never ever turn your back.

[jc pacquin]

the lawsuit is incurred when you, standing there with look of awe, watch your mighty champ or whatever, roar into another aircraft, (maybe even a gulf stream!) or it simply runs down the lineboy, or takes off (as some have) and plunges into a home, or a car or whatever. Seems easy to understand....to me. I always propped mine from the BACK when alone, which was the only way you could prop a J3 on floats. So then I propped anything that needed it that way. If the mags are double impulse and are set up right, it usally goes on one easy pull. JC