Hand propping - licensed pilot at the controls?

On 8 Jul 2006 19:39:38 -0700, "Stache"
wrote:

I was trying to explain a situation where a person hand propping could
possible get into a situation where someone may take a second look at
you because you did something stupid. So you use a non-certificated
person to help and something goes wrong who is the pilot in command?

Since I fly a J-3, almost always fly alone, and soon found that it was
very difficult to find someone at another field to prop the plane,
propping very early became an issue with me. I had a talk with my
former instructor on the subject, and his advice was: "There are all
sorts of reasons why you don't want this to become an issue."

Solo propping is forbidden at the airfield where I rent the Cub,
especially (as I discovered) when in full view of the cafe deck in
high summer. I haven't had such a tongue-lashing since I left home in
1950. Other airfield managers don't seem to care.

I don't like to have a stranger sitting in the cockpit, so if there's
no one around who claims to know how to prop, I use two chocks on a
line that I can reel into the cockpit once I'm aboard. I also tie down
the tail if that's possible; it usually is. In a pinch I'll ask a
strong man to hold the tail.

The Cub will start at closed throttle when the engine is warm. I put
my left foot on the starboard chock, hold the window frame with my
left hand, and swing the prop with the right, getting a little bounce
out of it first on those impulse thingies, whatever they might be. It
starts the first time, almost every time.

I wait a few seconds to ensure that all is copacetic, then gingerly
duck under the struts, walk to the rear to untie the rope if any, then
very gingerly climb into the rear seat. Once strapped in, I give the
chocks a tug to free them, then reel them in and stow them in my pack
in the front seat.

It is all second nature now; I've been doing it for six years.



-- all the best, Dan Ford

email: usenet AT danford DOT net

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
In Search of Lost Time: www.readingproust.com