ORIGINAL: Dave trimmer
It doesn't matter which way you turn your engine to start it ----
I know what you are saying, but that is just a bit confusing to a beginner -- he wouldn't understand "back-flipping".
Flip the engine sharply counter-clockwise (looking from the front). The slipstream should blow toward the tail of the aircraft. If it starts backward, the slipstream will blow toward you rather than toward the tail of the model.
If it keeps starting backward ---THEN try flipping it clockwise.