I meant people getting too close with the tach behind the prop as well. And as far as being in front to check RPM, I again blame the advertisers. When I first got mine, I was checking in front of the prop because that was what the guy in the instructions was doing. Then I wised up and thought, boy this is stupid, and stater to use it from behind so that I could make needle adjustments as well.

Ahh. . . I must be out of step again because I have been teaching folks how to start their engines WITHOUT standing in front or in the prop arc for years. I include a good location for the transmitter based on watching others make SERIOUS mistakes that get the engine going WOT unexpectedly.

For what little it might be worth. . . .

Assume you are right handed. Place the plane at your 10 or 11 o'clock position and the radio at the 12 o'clock position. This keeps the prop arc away from you and you off to one side of the engine. If the FW fails, you very possibly will escape. Putting the TX at the 4 or 5 o'clock works, but allows you to bump the throttle as you reach behind yourself. When you reach for your TX, you need to be able to SEE it and avoid the throttle stick. Yes, if the plane comes forward the radio is blocked. But YOUR task is to prevent that and failure probably will not be terminal. A WOT with a damaged radio is dangerous.

JB,

I never said to be directly in front of the engine when starting. If I understand your starting procedures correctly, you are still in front of the prop arc, which I would classify as in front of the engine. It sounds like you start your engines the same way that I do. In front of the prop arc, but off to one side.

The airplane that I felt the safest with while starting was a TF P-47 with a YS 120, onboard glow driver & onboard electric starter. Hold a switch on the transmitter, the engine was heated, cranked & started. A friend would hold the plane while starting and I was standing behind it. Very safe.

I am now having to learn new safety procedures while getting into electrics. It is a different world...

Sorry, that was not clear in your post. I agree, MY way is STILL in front of the engine just not DIRECTLY in front.

BTW, I hate ARF's because *I* don't KNOW what is under the covering. Others tell me that is a personal problem. So be it, I build.

I can also attest that even if you fly electric, props are also dangerous as hell!!! I was checking a geared 600 motor with a 12x8 folding prop. Just got a new hitec eclipse transmitter. It was on and so was the rx system. On the TX, there is a throttle cut button which if pressed, no throttle signal is given to the RX. Had the plane in front of me and the TX was off to the left. I just bumped the throttle stick,
only about a few tics. The prop started and cut my forearm between the elbow and wrist. I had 3 gashes from the prop bite and blood was spurting out like Old Faithful!!!!. Luckily, I didn't cut any tendons and even missed the main vein. But still, I required stitches to close wound. I learned two things...RTFM before using and always make sure TX doesn't have a chance to be bumped when checking motors.
The blood stains on the shop floor act as a reminder to me to not do any more stupid moves!!!

Dave...

While I do not fly electrics, I do have some experience with instructing students with electrics. After the first session, I tell them to rewire with a kill switch in the circuit. I know that is a chore however, IMO, electrics, as they come, are definitely dangerous as I have done and others have done as I witnessed, a bump of the throttle and the saw-blade turns.
Perhaps with more experience I may change that impression, however now -- as in the big gas jobs -- a Kill switch is a definite for electrics bigger than park fliers.

it all reminds me of MY studid move to adjust the needle valve. 40+ stictches later to hold 3 fingers together. Fortunitly I still have all 3 fingers. you don't watch me adjusting the needle from in front any more. always from behind. had kept photos of my fingers on the club bulliten board for a long time as reminder for a long time, till some one decided they weren't very pretty. any-how REMEMBER IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU. dick

I'm sure not one of us like to see or hear of someone getting hurt.
But if you will look at the types of accidents that happen it might appear the lack of concentration, distraction, and common sense are the contributting factors.
I can't say if luck is with me or I seem to pay particular attention to what I'm doing But in all the years of my flying minature (models) aircraft (electric to 40%gas) I have not been injured.

The immortal Forest Gump phrased it perfectly. "stupid is as stupid does" So lets not do anything stupid and have fun.

Check out the article in Sport Aviator, "Things you need to know no one tells you".

http://www.masportaviator.com/ah.asp?CatID=2&ID=41

I guess one of the things the article doesn't tell you is not to do this:

If you will search back through my posts you will see GRAPHIC evidence of why you should NEVER do what that person is doing in the picture.