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?

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

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.;)

RE: Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop
 

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.

RE: Question about avoiding getting hit by a prop
 

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.

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

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