ORIGINAL: ameyam
I got a couple of xoar 16x6 just yesterday. Problem with fitting them on this airplane is that the engine is inverted and tank slightly above carb, so engine kicks back viciously. A wooden would break in the first flip with a chicken stick. Even if it doesnt, this engine has the habit of throwing off the prop when still warming up. For a couple of weeks I went with a MAS 16x6 installed and then installed the wooden prop (was using JFX then) for the 2nd flight. Plus I used an electric starter every time. That was just to prevent the prop flying off at 20-30% throttle. After that I settled with APC
I have the same argument- a lot of people fly a nicked prop. I have thrown the one in the pic but nicked props are common. A fellow flier was hovering with a prop (18x6 MAS) that was probably 1/4'' shaved off on both sides
Ameyam
if your chicken stick is hard wood, you will damage props, use a leather gloved hand or wrap hockey tape over your stick, no prop should split due to kickback,
not sure what you are are doing, but never used a starter in over 25 years on over 100 planes from .049 to 110.00cc
On 18 inch props and up, a handflip should work easily.