Finally did it!
 

Ok, you thought when I said "finally did it," I meant I finally bought my first plane, or finally soloed, or something like that. Nope. Unfortunately, after two years of regular flying, I finally stuck a finger in a rotating prop and sliced it open.

Thankfully, damage was pretty minor, but it was a wakeup call nonetheless. I was helping a friend with a trainer that we had just resurrected after about 9 mos. of not flying it. As he was taxiing out to the runway. I noticed a the pressure line from the muffler was not attached. I said "wait a minute," walked up from behind the plane and reached down to reattach it. Somehow, I absentmindedly caught my finger in the prop. "THUNK". "Ow."

The fact that it was idling and I came in from behind prevented serious damage, but I still got a good slice. I take pride in the fact that I am very careful around props, so it was particularly surprising. Moral: never let your guard down.

-Scott

RE: Finally did it!
 

I'm glad it wasn't serious. I'v been fortunate to learn by seeing those around me forget and thereby remind me of the dangers. [:@]

RE: Finally did it!
 

Yeah, me too, Bruce. I always try to be careful, and I'm still not sure exactly what I did, because I was reaching in from behind, rather than in front or above and the pressure tap is a couple inches away from the prop. I can only think maybe I bumped the plane with my foot or something, causing it to roll backwards into my finger. I should have made sure the plane was secure and stationary with one hand before reaching down with the other. Like you said, at least it was minor.

-Scott

RE: Finally did it!
 

Welcome to the club Scott! :D

RE: Finally did it!
 

No attaboy necessary, thank you. Hope things are well out in Wilmar, Mike. Boy, it sure was a great day to fly here yesterday! Kept me from watching the Vikings trainwreck.

RE: Finally did it!
 

LOL. No it's not funny. But it is funny.

I do absent minded things like that all the time. Somehow I still have all my digits. I wonder if I should even be getting a plane...

RE: Finally did it!
 

If you have to ask, the answer is always YES! :)

RE: Finally did it!
 

Does that mean I'm excluded from getting my finger sliced in the prop because I've already been injured before? I previously had a nimh battery burn through covering because of a short circuit and give me 2nd degree burns on my finger. (IE a severe blister that lasted for a long time)

RE: Finally did it!
 

No! :D