Hi RAT 5,
FWIW (not much!), I always spun the fan blades forwards. On smaller engines, like the CFM-56, if the fan is rotating reasonably slowly (but too fast to observe the blades to your satisfaction) you can gradually stop it by carefully holding the spinner in the palm of your hand. **
Quote from BluSdUp:
"Spin the fan counter clockwise after finding ice on the backside of the blade.
So backwards of normal spin, this draws hot air forward and starts melting the ice."
Interesting, but too late for me to try! BTW, on a CFM and, I think, any American engine, counter-clockwise when looking into the front of the engine would be the normal direction of rotation.
** [EDIT] Not to be recommended if you are wearing a neck-tie (as in uniform apparel).
Last edited by Chris Scott; 22nd Jan 2017 at 18:52.
Reason: Caveat added.