My dad flew control line when he was young, and he told me they would just flick the prop and launch the plane. This was back in the 50's, so it has been a while, but he never had a problem starting any of his .049 angines.

Now the boat he built in the '70's which used a K&B outboard was a whole different story. It was the most finicky engine I have ever seen. It also ate connecting rods like they were candy.

When my son took up modelling I told him not to use an electric starter until he'd learned to hand start safely. The main reason for this was that I wanted him to get a feel for engines so he could detect any possible problems and to learn what an engine needed (prime) to start instantly. I taught him how to flick and how to follow through after the flick to have his hand safely away from the prop. When I was confident he was ready (and this only took maybe 5 or 10 minutes) then I let him connect up the glow and have a try. It started first flick (and this wasn't an .049, this was an Enya 80X) and the look on his face made it all worth while . Then I told him he could use an electric starter if he wanted to. He never did.

Doesn't hurt to run some sand paper over the trailing edge of the plastic APC props as they can be sharp like a knife. Had my prop kick back against my finger and cut it to the bone... which brings me to my next suggestion - a leather glove. It's handy to know how to flip a prop when restarting on the taxiway vs walking your plane back to your flight box.

This is the first I've heard of spinning the prop backwards to start the engine. Are you flicking it just up to the compression then letting it flip back or are you flicking it through the compression stroke the same as when you start forwards?

Roll it up on compression clockwise and then flip the nose cone counter clockwise . Be sure to keep clear of the prop.

No, it is not flipped through the compression stroke, that would result in the engine starting and running backwards. The idea is to get it just far enough into the compression stroke for ignition to occur. The bump from the firing reverses the engine and the engine keeps running forward. I grab the spinner or prop hub and spin it backwards into the compression stroke. My fingers release the hub before the compression stroke even begins, it's the momentum on the prop that finishes the job.

If you have a four stroke engine handy, try this. Close the throttle completely (engine cutoff, not idle) and turn the prop. WHERE DID THE COMPRESSION STROKE GO!!! Well the compression stroke dissapeared because the closed throttle didn't let any air into the cylinder for the piston to compress. When the intake valve closed, the cylinder had a vacuum in it that sucked the piston up the bore during the compression stroke.
When you back flip the engine with the throttle closed to idle, you initially have a cylinder full of air/fuel mix that ignites almost as soon as the compression stroke begins. This reverses the engine and the intake stroke goes by so fast that the cylinder can not fill with much air. Because of this, there almost is no compression during the next compression stroke and the mixture does not ignite untill the piston is nearly at the top of the stroke.

Once you learn this method, you will throw your electric starter away and your spinners won't be marred by starter cone burns.

Try that when the engine is cold and stiff? I usually use a chicken stick and give the prop a snap backwards with a good prime, and it will usually start right away.

I've gotta try this. I've worn out a couple of props with the chicken stick so if I can get the hang of this it'll be much better. Thanks guys.

It's almost like learning to whistle though I find it easiest with a plastic spinner. The two holes for the screws conviniently provide grip for you thumb and index (or middle) finger, and prevent them from slipping in the arc of the prop. You then grasp the model firmly, press your fingers on the spinner, and do a motion similar in force to snapping your fingers.

Another neat trick for when your engine is running backwards. Never had the nerve to do this, but have seen others pinch the nose of the spinner to slow the engine to a stop, the last stroke serves to bump the piston off of compression and the engine starts miraculously in the right direction. I prefer to blip the throw in these cases, since I am a wimp and prefer to have my fingers whole