ORIGINAL: Bonified Wingnut
When I start an engine I do not touch anything until I have moved behind the plane. Once I am behind it I will pull of the igniter and do any adjusting I have to do. This includes if it is on a break in stand. Sometimes if I am having trouble setting the low speed needle or idle speed the engine will keep quitting and I will have to walk around and repeat the process. It can end up being a lot of exercise but I do not like the front of a running engine, or the side for that matter. If I am behind a plane there isn't going to be anything in the front of that prop that I am going to grab for. If I have somebody help I tell them to hold the tail and let me take care of everything else.-BW
Great advice, just this past weekend I was having engine problems with an engine that was running fine the day before. I also try to remember to move behind a running engine. The plane was on a stand, but for the first time I experienced the dreaded thrown prop. Off goes the spinner and prop just after I was behind the uprights on the stand. I am sure it would have left a nice mark if I had not moved around, just luck, but I won't forget it anytime soon.