Go Back  RCU Forums > Glow Engines, Gas Engines, Fuel & Mfg Support Forums > Engine Conversions
 Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop >

Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop

Community
Search
Notices
Engine Conversions Discuss all aspects of engine conversions in this forum

Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-14-2004 | 03:59 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Dixon, CA
Default Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop

im new in this hobby so ive never been hit by a prop
are there any engines that when you start them up there is a delay like 10 secs. till the prop starts or the prop spins like 60 rpm?
Old 06-14-2004 | 07:51 PM
  #2  
av8tor1977's Avatar
My Feedback: (6)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,245
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
From: Tucson, AZ
Default RE: Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop

It sounds like you're talking about some sort of a clutch driven prop set up, and while there are some applications like this available for ultralight airplane engines, I've never seen one for a model application.

Props are to be highly respected! I once made the mistake of reaching through the prop arc to adjust a carb. The engine was only idling, but it cut four fingers to the bone in a heartbeat, and it was only a .40 size engine. You would think I would have learned from that years ago, but recently I had an experience with a flooded gasser conversion. I advanced the throttle to about half, grabbed a good hold, (I thought), and started her up. She chased me around and around three or four times before I could get a good hold on her without getting myself cut. It was a gasser turning a 16 x 8 APC prop, and could have turned some part of me into hamburger! I now carefully and religiously tie down all my airplanes before starting!!!

Be careful,
AV8TOR
Old 06-14-2004 | 09:24 PM
  #3  
Rcpilot's Avatar
My Feedback: (78)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,808
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default RE: Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop

How to avoid the swinging lumber?

Respect it.
NEVER, and I mean NEVER, reach OVER, AROUND, or THROUGH that prop
ALWAYS stand BEHIND the prop once it's spinning. There is absolutely NO REASON to stand in front of OR beside a spinning propellor. NEVER.
Make ALL engine adjustments from BEHIND the prop.
Use a restraint system to hold the plane when starting. Strap it to a fence post with a piece of nylon webbing, or have a freind hold the plane while you start it. NEVER start a plane when your holding it with your hands and starting it by yourself. NEVER. Use a restraint.
Glow engine? Start the engine and then get your hands away. Walk around to the back of the plane and THEN remove the glow driver. Be sure that you step completely behind the swinging propellor arc before you reach for that glow driver.
WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!!!!!!! You only got one set of eyes. Fingers can be stitched back on. Broken knuckles heal. Punctured eyes just go blind. They don't heal.
Stubborn engine? Won't start? Getting frustrated? Take a step back. Go have a smoke, or a Coke. Sit down for a minute or two and take a few deep breaths. RELAX. Your more likely to make a stupid mistake when your pissed off. It's a hobby. It's just a toy airplane. Relax and get calm before you fiddle with 1HP or 10HP engine with a lawnmower blade attatched to the front that can be spinning 10,000RPM. Thats plenty of power to put you in the hospital and rack up a $20,000 bill to sew on your bruised and mangled fingers.

Develope a routine. I have a routine that I follow each time I step up to the flight line.

1-check TX batteries
2-check plane batteries
3-check frequency board for clear channel
4-check airspace. Too many planes?
5-chicken stick/ starter
6-glow driver
7-transport plane and TX to starting bench
8-secure plane
9-turn on TX
10-turn on plane
11-set TX to full throttle
12-prime engine
13-set TX to idle position
14-apply glow driver
15-doublecheck that TX is in idle position
16-use chicken stick or starter to crank engine
17-engine running
18-grab TX and move to rear of plane
19-remove glow driver
20-check engine tune
21-remove plane from bench
22-taxi out and call to other pilots your intentions to take off
23-fly
24-land and taxi back
25-kill engine
26-turn off plane
27-turn off TX
28-return plane and TX to my table
29-doublecheck that all is turned off
30-impound TX at frequency control board

Lots of stuff, but I go through that routine RELIGIOUSLY everytime I go out to fly.

Soap box lecture over now.
Old 06-15-2004 | 09:58 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,353
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Up north, ND
Default RE: Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop

Walk around to the back of the plane and THEN remove the glow driver.
second that one! I've seen other people bleed from this one, they THOUGHT they were a safe distance... Think of your glow plug driver as completely off limits until you are behind the prop. the extra couple of seconds it takes to walk around the plane isn't going to drain your battery.
Old 07-08-2004 | 02:10 PM
  #5  
Gravityisnotmyfriend's Avatar
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Greenville, WI
Default RE: Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop

ORIGINAL: rkramer

Walk around to the back of the plane and THEN remove the glow driver.
second that one! I've seen other people bleed from this one, they THOUGHT they were a safe distance... Think of your glow plug driver as completely off limits until you are behind the prop. the extra couple of seconds it takes to walk around the plane isn't going to drain your battery.
I had to learn that one the hard way. I have five parallel scars on the underside of my right wrist from reaching over the prop to remove the glow starter. The cuts were just a little more than scratches, but if my arm had been a couple of mms lower I hate to think of the results. Lesson learned.
Old 07-09-2004 | 12:09 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
Default RE: Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop

Hey guy's.
Check this thread out at RCCanada.Speaking of props and engines and how dangerous they can become,this is a real good example for all to read.Even the safest of individuals can momentarily make a bad judgement call and find himself in harms way real quick.Makes me cringe just thinking about it.[:@]



http://www.rccanada.ca/bb/viewtopic.php?t=8486
Old 07-09-2004 | 04:15 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 796
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Knoxville, TN
Default RE: Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop

This is just one more little suggestion...and it's saved my fingers and a few more parts more than once..

Welders Mitt, Welders Mitt...
They are the gauntlet type with a lot of leather behind you're hand...and not that expensive..

BB1

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.