I have a couple things to say here.

The first is related to a flooded engine. If you can not turn it over by had (NO GLOW PDRIVER) it is probably flooded. Simply remove the glow plug and spin the motor with your starter (fuel will come out of the hole, watch your eyes) or turn the plane over so that the fuel can drain out of the glow plug hole. Put the glow plug back in and it should start. You will puke out a lot of fuel from the muffler too. If you try to start a flooded engine you run a great risk of bending the connecting rod, called a hydro lock, bad news there.

I am really suprised by Piper Chuck though. It sounds that he is trying to defend a less safe method of starting an engine. If I were a betting man I would say that Chuck, considering he indicated that he has been doing this a long time, has got a finger or thumb smacked by a prop during start up. Glow engines sometimes back fire and or partially fire during start up and HICCUP. No man is faster than a prop going opposit the way of the finger flipping it.

Now if by some luck he has not got a finger smacked he certainally knows people that have. The main reported injuries he is referring to are the result of claims filed due to the severity of an injury from a prop strike! No one gives specific details to report regarding the black and blue nails and brused knuckles. I would bet that Chuck stands in fornt of his plane and reaches arround the prop while engine is running to do adjustments and or removing glow driver. How hard is it to realize that a $50.00 investment in a starter could reduce the odds of a very costly emergency room visit (not to say the least loosing a finger of having major ligiment/tendon damage). Is is just simple insurance. We are past the days of bravado, we should all be concerned foremost about our personal safety.

We are in a time that affords us technology like cordless starters and glow drivers, or remote glow drivers. We have bystanders (AMA regulation to have a 2nd person with you when you fly if no one else arround) to help. Chicken sticks, should have been called smart sticks, are a great tool if you just can't get a starter. It has nothing to do with being lazy.

I am glad you gat a starter and I am sure you will find this much more enjoyable.