Originally Posted by
double_barrel
I just stumbled upon the report of a horrific accident involving a student pilot who walked into the prop of a C152. The flight school in question was routinely disembarking one student and embarking the next with the engine running.
That seems insane, and not just because of the prop danger. But the report did not explicitly condemn the practice. Although failure to shut down the engine was listed as a contributory cause (!), the recommendations talked vaguely about the importance of awareness of the dangers of spinning props among students and passengers.
Is it ever acceptable practice to allow people to enter/exit a small aircraft with the engine running? Why would this ever be permitted ? Whatever permitted means in this context.
You have a link to the report? I know of quite some places where they change students with engine running.
On one side, for scenic flights and unfamiliar pax loading/unloading I would follow the never-ever-do-that.
On the other side, a student on training must have some kind of common sense not to walk in front of a running prop.
I know, I AM an old fart from the days when common sense was more common.