I guess I'm a bit odd, in that I want to learn to flip-start my engine rather than use an electric starter. Are there any special gotcha's associated with flip-starting a four-stroke? (or breaking in a four-stroke without an electric starter)

Also, long long ago (more than 10 years) I saw a chicken stick that was basically a big rubber thing that slipped over your finger rather than a wooden stick -- it stuck out well past your finger, was maybe an inch and a half diameter, black rubber looking thing. It struck me as much easier to use than your typical chicken stick, and I have no desire to learn to flip-start a motor with my bare fingers... Does anyone know where I could get one of these, or is there a good reason not to use one like that?

thanks,
Rick

I wouldn't use one. I've had engines kick back and throw the stick clean out of my hand, I sure wouldn't have wanted my finger to be inside it.

hey, I'm just a beginner and you would be surprised how easy it is to start an enging with a chicken stick. It's pretty much like starting truck engines with a pull start only the pull start is in front of the engine and its not a rope.. LOL one thing about electric starters is if your new to nitro and dont know the signs of hydrolocking than you could seriously hurt your engine(replace conrod)

I like the ckincken stick and it never flew out of my hands either, just get a firm grip.

P.S. i started it somewhat rich for break in and it started up. so when i get it to peak power it should start easier.

just some more info, hope it helps

On my glow engines I usually use an electric starter. If you want to use the chicken stick thats your perogative..to each his own. An electric starter comes in handy on hard to start engines. On my gas engines I prefer to start these by hand. Some guys use a starter on the big gas engines, guess it all boils down to personal preference.

Not all that many years ago in the 'Good Old Days' there where no commercial electric starters. I,ll bet you think I am going to start waxing poetic about the virtues of a stick Huh? Well forget it. The so called good old days were lousy and the lack of good starters were in fact chief among the reasons they were lousy.

Now don,t get me wrong hand starting is fine to a point but you will find Avistar pilot that as you mature into the sport there are a wide variety of engines and engine temperments out there. While yes many are very user friendly and hand start easily if everything is just right and you have taken the time getting the prime just so, etc. but the fact is you are not going to get it just right every time due to all sorts of distractions and you will be standing there cranking and cranking no matter how good an engine man you are.

On top of all that there are many more engines out there that are not so user friendly and with the huge variety we have avaliable to us today: gas, four strokes, two strokes, diesels, rotorys and giant as well as tiny versions of all these many will bite big time even using a chicken stick including ripping the stick right out of your hand. useing for example a stick on modern .40 size pylon engine, engines that routinely static out around 22000 RPM is the height of insanety.

Now if that does not begine to convince you that using a stick is primarily an emergency method then lets look at it from a differant perspective. Yes there are quite a few folks that never bring a starter even when they do own one. They seem to enjoy the macho factor they believe goes with hand starting and the Wow factor when view by the unintiated. Well it never fails at some point this individual will be standing there cranking and cranking and more often than not. Then the walking up and down flight line starts to borrow a starter. All I have to say to this individual who is always bragging about never bringing their starter is: Carry your own damn batteries. I am not doing it for you!

So while yes a stick has its place and most newbies only are sold sticks. I always spend time time with them in its proper usage and let them practice but stress the importance of getting properly set up with a starter as soon as possible.


John

I agree with the idea of using an electric starter. 30 yrs ago I used my finger to start my engines (I was young then) and nobody had heard of a "chicken stick" either. After getting whacked a few times I got tired of that and got an electric starter... I still have it and it still works, but not as good as the new Dynatron to use with the larger engines now a days.
Anyway what amazes me is the number of "guys" that start their engines by spinning the "spinner" between their thumb and finger, but still they do have their off days with their engines.

I've never understood the reasoning behind starting with a chicken stick. I mean, wanting to become 'one' with your engine is admirable and all, but....

I have engines that will usually start with one flip once warmed up, and sometimes I'll flip them because it's actually easier than reaching for the starter. But to do it as a general rule? Now way!
Dennis-

So Dennis, are you saying that when you flip by hand, you use your fingers? If so, I hope your engine never tries to become "one" with YOU!

I keep the chicken stick that I got when I first started (2 years ago) in my flight box as a back up to the electric starter.

Recently I've had to break in a couple of new engines, so now when I run them on the test stand I try the chicken stick on them to see if they will hand start. As a result of this, I now hand start my OS46FX virtually all of the time and try to avoid the electric starter. My Saito 72 is looking pretty promising too...

I believe I am now on the third phase of engine starting:

1. Beginner. Spent all his money on getting the initial plane/engine/radio. Arrives at the filed with just the field box basics. Spends ages hand flipping before another member comes over with an electric starter.

2. Buys a 'proper' field box with all the kit n' kaboddle. Finds engine starting a lot easier with the starter.

3. Get more familiar with engine operation. Finds some engines that hand start real easily. Use electric starter only when necessary.....

Ooof, I think MinnFlyer just convinced me that a regular chicken-stick is the way to go (if you're gonna use a chicken-stick, that is).

I was assuming that I would learn to tune my engine better if I were forced to flip-start it for awhile rather than rely on an electric starter... (kinda like starting out with a Dob rather than a full-up Go-To telescope) Perhaps I am mistaken in my reasoning?

Funny,

I was talking to a fellow flyer about this the other day. He is a veteran of the hobby (25+yrs) and he was starting his os 46 fx by hand, without gloves.

I was asking why he started his engines like that; he began to explain how he can tell how well his engines are tuned up and something about becoming one with his engines.....then, before he could finish his last sentence.....whack....drip drip.....yes, the little 46 was bonding wery well with him (you could tell by the blood dripping from his forefinger). After the cursing stopped (sorry, could not remember it all to post) his last statement was "I guesss I should have used my leather glove...". I then comment "Oh, you mean the one lying in your field box???"

Well, after the 10 second glare from him, I decided to just shut up...

In conclusion.....its "to each his/her own"...as for me, I will continue to use an electric starter whenever possible and let others keep the battle scars....

wild,
*LOL* that was a good story, sounds like the guy wasn't seriously hurt.

I always use my electric starter, and I bring it to the field to start beginner's engines as necessary as well (even if I don't bring airplane of my own).

When I was getting started, I tried flip starting, and never got the hang of it. I'm not if I never got the right info on how to go about it or what. These days, I know a lot more about engines and knowing how to get them started and knowing what engines like what kind of treatment to get started, so I likely could flip start if I felt inclined to (and I picked up a chicken stick, I don't even own one). I do think flip starting will make you more aware of the engine, but only once you're familiar enough with the engines to know what to look for. With out really knowing that info before hand, you can be flipping for a long time.

But I still like that quick bump with the starter to kick things off. works for me.