One thing I'm scared of in GA....

[dhavillandpilot]

On an original Heron with Gipsy Queens, it was SOP's to pull the props through to clear the oil.

Just remember this aircraft had 4 enfines - the first officer who usually got the job was always knackered afterwards.

As for SOP's any one who has flown a Gipsy engined aircraft be it a Tiger Moth or a Heron always pulls the props thru, but with a health respect for the one that will bite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[osmosis]

...and let's not forget the loaders of agricultural aircraft working around an aircraft with spinning propeller many times a day; day in day out. They have no business with it specifically and stay away, seemples.

I am surprised to learn here of the need to purge oil with even modern aero engines, the Rotax; is that right? You don't see THAT on the glossy brochures anywhere.

[walschaert valve]

I remember as an apprentice checking for leaks after an engine change on a Queenair and being between the engine and the fuselage when I saw a fuel line leaking fuel. I bashed on the side of the fuselage and just stopped myself getting out of there by running forward into the turning prop.

Still gives me the shivers when I think about it 30 years later.

[VH-XXX]

You don't absolutely have to burp the rotax every time from memory, it's just to get an accurate oil level on the dipstick.

[Deaf]

Did a nightmare of a effort with a Cherokee 6 during a Scout Jamboree. Air Experience ie big circuit over the camp, after problems with hot starting rest of it was done with engine running.

Not too bad, kids were disciplined, 4 scoutmasters to handle unloading/loading but still a worry.

[osmosis]

Has anyone operated a Rotec radial? I'm wondering about their need to be hand turned.

[SPL-101]

Model loses eye after propeller accident

[T28D]

Osmosis, Rotec is same as all other radials, a dry sump engine or remote oil reserviour as the spirit moves you.

So yes it is good practice to clear the bottom cylinders either by hand or on the starter no magneto for 2 full engine revolutions which in the case of geared propellors can be 3 propellor revolutions or the common expression with a 3 bladed prop is 9 blades then mags on and prime to start.

[Airways Ed]

Jas & Aussie Bob

The oil dipstick on the Rotax 912 of the Flysynthesis Storch and Texan our club has can be read without 'burping' the engine.

I've also been assured that the Rotax cannot be hand started, even with mags on, but I prefer to ensure everything off when near the meat grinder...

[Ultralights]

I am surprised to learn here of the need to purge oil with even modern aero engines, the Rotax; is that right?

The oil dipstick on the Rotax 912 of the Flysynthesis Storch and Texan our club has can be read without 'burping' the engine.

its not mandatory to pull a rotax through, and it also depends on the installation, as its a dry sump setup, the location of the sump in relation to the crankcase will determine if you need to pull it through to get an accurate oil level on the stick, if the sump is high, the oil will drain back to the engine, and need a pull through to get it back into the tank, if its below, then its not needed.
i dont mind the need to burp the oil, it does a few jobs, first, you now have oil pumped through the engine before its started, you get an accurate oil level on the stick, and you can feel the compression on each cylinder as you turn the engine over. not only that, the external oil tank does a great job at cooling it also.

i am also aware of the treat every prop as live mantra, so myself, and i teach my students when pulling a prop through to burp the oil, stand behind the prop, and pull the blade down from the top to chest height, so if the highly improbable happens, and the engine starts, the aircraft will move away from you, and not through you, the wash will push you away from it, and the wing hitting your back/or lift strut in a high wing will also hopefully stop the aircraft from racing off any thurther.