Fair numbner of 'Daily Mail' type comments - I hope you all wear dayglo vests when going to the shops!
It is a straight forward and easy process. It needs either one competent and careful person who is very familiar with the aircraft or one competent person and someone who actually knows how tro operate the aircraft. Less than that and things can go very wrong. With that - a complete non-issue.
I've only started engines up to 300hp - but I'm told it is no more difficult for the bigger radials. For 3 years it was nearly the only method of satarting my Gipsy - usually single handed.
Yes you need to be careful - particularly singler handed. But it is not difficult.
I really must try my Rotax, like Rod I had read it was not possible. It is a fierce little engine so naturally I'll take care. But it would be useful to have that in the back pocket.