Air starting an A-65

[N74DV]

at what speed should one be able to air start a stopped A-65?

I ask because there is an old army auxiliary airstrip out here with a recently repaved 8000' runway that I'd like to use to try some power off landings... but I'm curious about air starting.

[Ron Coleman]

Re: Air starting an A-65

Are you going to get out to start it, or are you going to dive start it?

Either will work, but harder to do on a new engine. It is not a good idea to shut down a hot engine. Cool it down first.

Have fun
RonC

[crispy critter]

Re: Air starting an A-65

I had one BC12 Deluxe with an A65 that took about 90mph to restart the prop windmilling,I also had a BC12D-85(BC12D with a C-85-8,no electrics) that would start windmilling again at about 70mph. It depends a lot on how good your compressions are but even more so on what prop you are using....prop pitch makes a big difference.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Air starting an A-65

Had some friends in central Arkansas that got a huge kick out of shutting down the A-65 in a Champ and riding thermals then restarting by diving. You can get some great lift in August over the farm fields and it is easily possible to play sailplane for 15 to 30 minutes.

Well, the engine had the last laugh. After one zero to 2200 RPM shock too many it up and cracked a cylinder boss.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Air starting an A-65

My experience is about 120-125 and 1000 feet with an A-65 that has good compression, anda 72x44 wood prop. Tom

[crispy critter]

Re: Air starting an A-65

That sounds about right with that prop.The metal props are easier to start turning again. Also,the flatter the pitch on the prop the less speed it takes to get it turning again.
One more thing,commen sense will tell us to leave a little room for error,when the engine starts turning again make sure the throttle is at idle or not too much above, then bring it back in slowly back to cruise power. If you let yourself get low enough that you need to climb back up to a safe altitude then you have not left yourself enough room for safty & error.

[flyguy]

Re: Air starting an A-65

In case it wasn't said with enough emphasis BE SURE TO PULL THE THROTTLE BACK TO A NORMAL START SETTING! I know of one C150 that had to land in the pickleweed because the new instructor tried to restart the O200 with the throttle wide open. Please note that it will probably void your hull insurance if you do that and bend something and the insurance company finds out.
DC

Someone may not know, so: Wide open throttle there is lots of air coming through, but at "higher" presssure, that is, closer to atmospheric. Mixture will be lean because not enough vacuum to suck gas from the jets. Doesn't apply on the ground if you have primed with primer or by turning engine over with throttle closed. That is my understanding, someone correct me if not so.

[baldeagle27]

Re: Air starting an A-65

Mine with an A-65 and 72x42 (I think, have to look again, might be 72x44) wood prop would start turning at about 120 also, although it seemed to start turning easier if you were pulling some Gs, like pulling up into a loop.

[NY86]

Re: Air starting an A-65

Also,the flatter the pitch on the prop the less speed it takes to get it turning again.

I think that's backwards.

Regardless, I tried it in a Cessna 150 once and we had to dive to about 140 mph to get it to turn over. Once it starts turning it'll stay turning at lower speeds.