Originally Posted by
Pilot DAR
If tailwheel airplanes were still predominate, surely by now an avionics manufacturer would have developed a yaw stabilization system to prevent groundloops - in either way, the general pilot skill for tailwheel flying would/has diminished. Hand propping was a skill (and certainly a workplace safety concern!). It was very common on aprons when I learned to fly, and I certainly flew airplanes which required it, when's the last time anyone hand propped a plane? Would you teach it?
My tailwheel airplane has a yaw stabilization system. It's called a pilot. Like all systems it works great until the day it doesn't.
The last time I hand propped an airplane (Aeronca 11BC Chief) was November 26, 1999. I taught all my partners to start it safely. Not sure I could hand start my IO-360 as the prop angle is awkward. I carry a jump pack so I don't have to find out.
It scares me when I see anyone hand prop with a cap on. If the cap blows off most people will instinctively reach for it.