RE: Engine running backwards or not:

If it's pulling the plane forwards when you rev it, that's a sure sign it's not running backwards

As for which direction the starter is turning, both your engines should be cranked
counterclockwise. (From your perspective, that is) However... it is entirely possible that
his is cranking better on the backflip, even with an electric starter. Especially if it's
a weak starter, or if he's "bumping" the starter, instead of leaving it in place until
the engine is actually running.

Just thought of something, due to the nature of these questions, and the planes involved...
If he's never run a four stroker before (we're talking... hours and hours experience needed),
he really needs to get an optical tach to check for peak rpms, and richen up a few hundred
from there to attempt flight. They are very hard to tune by ear, for the inexperienced.
He could simply be running too rich to develop enough power for a takeoff. Just a thought.


I also noticed that you say this is the maiden flight of this particular birdy.

I'm not familiar with how complete these are when you get them... but it could be that
he has an incidence problem keeping him grounded, too. Just something else to check.

I said I didn't care much for them... but I've never seen one "not fly". They fly fine