I LOVE Handpropping

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

I agree with "senior". If I had to follow all of Hank's rules, I wouldn't get to fly much. I prefer to prop from the back because I have never seen an airplane (except for turbines) go backwards when they start. The one rule I have always used since I started hand propping airplanes in 1973 is to always TURN OFF THE FUEL VALVE before starting. If things go wrong and you are acting like a wheel chock or hanging onto the wing strut while your airplane goes around in circles or watching your airplane go across the airport or down the lake, it's comforting to know that the engine will stop when the carburetor bowl runs dry rather than when the fuel tank runs dry. As for not curling your fingers around the trailing edge of the prop, I don't know how you can do that. It seems to me that to get enough friction on the front of the blade to pull it through using just the palms of your hands you either need to get your compression checked or you're pushing on your airplane way too hard in the wrong direction.

I like it, great idea!


Also regarding the friction needed to to prop, I wonder if using some shooters spray adhesive on the prop or your hands would help?

We spray that on clothes, mats, coats and rifles when shooting and it helps a lot. It cleans off of your hands easily.

Dave

[Pearson]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

Thanks Richard,

Do you have impulse mags?

Dave

Dave,

Yes I have impulse mags, which I am sure makes it a little easier. Have you tried propping from behind? If not, I would suggest you try it with the fuel and mags off while someone watches you. You can tell a lot just from the way it feels. But having someone watch you offers another perspective. Maybe you could start out by watching someone else who has been using the technique for awhile. Good luck and let us know your thoughts if you decide to try it.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

My BC65 idles at 400 to 450 RPM. I ALWAYS carry screw in Tie Downs, and a properly tied 100 foot rope in the canvas sling. Besides a GREAT tent rope to drape a tarp over, it makes a great thing to have as a survival tool, along with a blanket. my AR-7, 50 rounds of CCI hollow points, magnesium fire starter, a gallon of water, and a really good first aid kit. I sewed hold down straps into the canvas pouch, to hold everything in it's place.
Brie

[ifdale]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

When I first got my plane I ALWAYS propped from the front. People would come up and say, hey, you should really be propping from behind.
At that point I didn't have impulse mags and you really had to pull it through hard. When I started propping from behind it felt weird! Really weird. But now I do it all the time, I fly on skis a lot and I'm scared to stand in front of the prop especially on ice. So propping from behind is my new routine, it definitely took a while to get used to, but I feel much safer now

[n6346m]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

I agree with "senior". If I had to follow all of Hank's rules, I wouldn't get to fly much. I prefer to prop from the back because I have never seen an airplane (except for turbines) go backwards when they start. The one rule I have always used since I started hand propping airplanes in 1973 is to always TURN OFF THE FUEL VALVE before starting. If things go wrong and you are acting like a wheel chock or hanging onto the wing strut while your airplane goes around in circles or watching your airplane go across the airport or down the lake, it's comforting to know that the engine will stop when the carburetor bowl runs dry rather than when the fuel tank runs dry. As for not curling your fingers around the trailing edge of the prop, I don't know how you can do that. It seems to me that to get enough friction on the front of the blade to pull it through using just the palms of your hands you either need to get your compression checked or you're pushing on your airplane way too hard in the wrong direction.

[astjp2]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

I did it without impulse mags, but it's so much easier with slicks. Tim

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

Thanks Richard,

Do you have impulse mags?

Dave

[Pearson]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

Dave,

The only way I prop is from behind. I open the door all the way back against the boot cowl and always hold on to the vertical tube at the aft end of the windshield. I don't try to use my foot as a chock in front of the right wheel. It just didn't feel right. As I pull down on the prop with my right arm, I am pulling back just a little with my left. That way it pulls me back away from the prop. The lift strut hits me right in the hip or buttock area in case it were to try to roll forward, and my hip would stop the airplane. The best part of all is not having to go all the way around the left strut and across the cockpit to access the mag switch, throttle, fuel, etc. With the door folded all the way open against the boot cowl and my hand holding the vertical tube, if I need to reach the controls it is an easy transition to just rock my weight from my right foot, which is forward, to my left foot, which is closer to the door opening. It sounds more complicated than it is. I definitely feel more comfortable doing it this way than standing on the side of the prop in the direction it wants to travel. Having my hand on that vertical tube is my life line. I know I can always pull my self away from the prop as long as I have ahold of that tube.

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

Never did that Tim, I've been scared to prop from behind.

Maybe I should try it. No impulse mags though, will that make a diff?

I have proped with only a parking brake set and then being sure that the throttle is closed.

My a65 engine with idle at 350-375 RPM.

On skis I didn't have a brake but the 350-375 RPM was saving grace.

Dave

p.s. BTW - I don't love hand propping

[astjp2]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

How many of you have been to an unimproved strip that has no tie downs and you are alone and have to restart? Its real fun to sand behind the prop with your foot against the right main, and pulling the prop on the back side. Makes for an interesting start. Tim

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

Keep up the derogatory terms like T-Crate fellows :tup:

It keeps the prices down so we can afford the best performing plane for $$

I paid ten grand for my flying 1940 BC65 in 2003.

[waltermrich]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

Carl I saw your Taylorcraft display at the Children's museum in Iowa City, Thanks for having it, it was very intersesting to read the story of the original purchase by your dad and all of of the restorations over the years. Thanks

[senior]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

Keep up the derogatory terms like T-Crate fellows :tup:

It keeps the prices down so we can afford the best performing plane for $$

[Jim Hartley]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

Hey guys, the way I see it, it's all a matter of personal perspective. I love taylorcrafts more then about anyone and I have called them tcrafts, tcarts, tbirds, well done, and extra crispy,lol.... Its not about the name you give it, but the way it makes you feel when you say it.

The old saying" Smile when you say that pardner!"

[crispy critter]

Re: I LOVE Handpropping

Hey guys, the way I see it, it's all a matter of personal perspective. I love taylorcrafts more then about anyone and I have called them tcrafts, tcarts, tbirds, well done, and extra crispy,lol.... Its not about the name you give it, but the way it makes you feel when you say it.