Hand Propping

[flyguy]

Re: Hand Propping

Tony,
I have an 85 and use exactly the same technique as Marty, except since winter is not very cold here I only need one shot of prime. Mine will flood easily also. I have coupled mags and its almost always one blade after four.
Darryl

[Len Petterson]

Re: Hand Propping

Hand propping and the Tail tiedowns. This is my tail tiedown it was a Tony Bingelis invation and it works, my rope is to short for out in the field use but so far it has worked for me. The pin is from 1/4 pipe and spring loaded with a ligth spring. Threaded internaly and a washer welded on a 3/8 bolt for line attchment.
I make loop through the rear lift handel.
Most of the time I warm her up with the tail tied and the second last thing is to lock the trottle at 500 RPM and then untie her.
Brakehandel held tied back with a rubber cord, of trucker model, to the brace in the door. I puch on the pedals after installing the cord, then they hold to 1000 rpm, My brakes will hold untill 1600 rpm wit me pushing hard!
I am doing this alone most of the time. Hm I will learn to propp from behind!
Len Petterson

[Jim Baker]

Re: Hand Propping

"4. After preparing the engine (prime, etc.), I turn the fuel valve OFF. (this lets it run only for a minute or so and gives me plenty of time to get in and turn it back on)"

In regards to the above, I do not turn off the fuel. If the plane is tied down, chocked, throttle checked and double checked to be at idle, I feel that turning off the fuel - even though there is ample time to turn it back on - can and will at some point cause a person to hurry back to the cockpit to turn the fuel back on. "Hurry" and hand propping should never be used in the same sentence! After starting the engine, I instruct my students to walk all the way out to the wing tip wing walk back and then follow the trailing edge of the wing to the fuselage.

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: Hand Propping

Actually, I don't hurry. I take my time. The engine will take approximately sixty seconds at slow idle to to shut down due to fuel starvation with the fuel valve in the off position. I know that sixty seconds gives me plenty of time to go through my procedure. My mind set is to move slowly and deliberately through the steps I described. I purposely want to be slow, deliberate and thorough. Plenty of time to do all you need to do.

Thanks,

Frank

[hangarb7]

Re: Hand Propping

"...This is my tail tiedown it was a Tony Bingelis invention and it works,..."

Hi Len,

I made the exact replica of the Bingelis release hook but it does not work for me. The rope just will not slip off the end, like the angle is incorrect or something. Tried different types of rope, but admittedly, I did not try kicking the rudder to shake it off.

Sometimes the rope sticks also on the pin even though the pin opens wide enough for the rope to slip out. I was going to try tapering the pin but finally gave up and just tie the airplane down firmly.

Glad it worked for you.

Jack D.
BC12D

[AlvinMcIver]

Re: Hand Propping

Winter is a good time to be in the shop. Does anyone have the plans for the Bingelis tiedown (the pictures are great, but I'm not at reverse engineering).
Alan

[hangarb7]

Re: Hand Propping

Alvin,

It used to be on-line with the EAA but I can't seem to find it. I have it at home and can either scan it (but I think it was poor quality to begin with) or I can mail you a copy, but let me find it first.

I can also take a close up picture of mine and the problems with it. Maybe yours will work better. Tony Bingelis certainly was a good eye-ball engineer and a credible airplane builder.

Jack Dernorsek
'46 BC12D

[M Towsley]

Re: Hand Propping

For what it is worth....

On EBay you will find periodically plans for a tie-down using a large retractable dog leash. It takes a little construction, and a source for a couple of small welds, but it works very well. You can release it from the cockpit and retract it and place it in the baggage area. Once you buy the plans he will e-mail you with a link for construction plans. The only change would be to buy the larger snap shackles as they can attach to larger items, such as in-ground tie-down points, etc.

[Joel Severinghaus]

Re: Hand Propping

Some years ago I bought a 21-minute videotape "Handpropping Light Aircraft", produced by Larry Bartlett Aviation Videos, 970-731-9552. I found it a good introduction to hand-propping safety procedures.

An alternative to the Bingelis release hook is a fixed bail snap shackle, available from sailboat supply companies for about $20-$40. Same principle: One end of the tie-down rope is tied through the bail hole. A loop on the other end of the rope goes in the hinged eye that's held shut with a pin. A lightweight cord to pull the pin, opening the shackle and releasing the rope, runs into the cockpit. Do an Internet search for "snap shackles" and you'll find several sailing supply websites that sell them.