The Danger of Hand Swinging the prop in modern aircraft
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Is she sucking in?
I remember watching a Baron get started in the wilds of PNG. Not a prop swing, but a u/s fuel pump. No problem, a coke can of fuel straight down the air intake and away she went!
At times, one must improvise!
At times, one must improvise!
I recall watching the rope method on a big radial
The problem is that the left engine starter motor is, to be technical, f****d. We don't have a spare on station. Station Engineer, old school with a wealth of experience, has exhausted his entire repertoire of alternative fixes.
Except one. "OK, get the Landrover, and the ladder and length of rope in the store". I return with these, wondering WTH. He sets the ladder up to the front of the motor, and winds the rope clockwise 6 or 7 turns round the hub (or is it the boss?), which is shaped like a erect nipple for just this purpose. Then he comes down and manoeuvres the landrover so that it's at right angles to the hub, and ties the rope to the back of it. He tells the pilot to be ready, all switches on etc, to catch it if/when it fires. He tells me to drive the LR forward at a very brisk walking pace when he says "NOW" and keep going until the rope is clear. I get in, start up, he checks all clear and shouts "NOW".
OK, it took 3 practices to get it just right. But then we got the motor started and idling nicely. I walk towards the departure lounge door to collect the passengers, and see a line of faces up against the glass wall, with expressions ranging from disbelief to sheer terror. I go in and announce that the service is ready to go, sorry about the running engine while you are boarding, enjoy your flight and come again, please have your boarding cards ready. And out we all go; I have never seen before or since, a group of passengers so unenthusiastic about flying.
You can't do that with one of these jet contraptions.
That CASA advice is for passengers in rpt and charter. Experimental aircraft have been using lithium batteries for years and some are specifically approved by engine manufacturers (eg: rotax/earthx). I fail to see how carrying a battery as a tool would be intended to be covered by CASA advice - any more than for carrying a spare lead acid battery.
Think you forgot the "anti" prefix in one word there
clockwise, anticlockwise - it depends which way you are looking! 
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1984,Glasgow apron.
Attached company mini to starboard prop boss of DC3, by cargo straps.
Two attempts,in 1st gear,managed to spin the props,but did not achieve the object of the excercise!
Moral of the story..bloody stupid excercise!
Attached company mini to starboard prop boss of DC3, by cargo straps.
Two attempts,in 1st gear,managed to spin the props,but did not achieve the object of the excercise!
Moral of the story..bloody stupid excercise!
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As a qualified member of the Chipmunk Prop Swingers Club, on a couple of occasions I was deputed to swing the (three-bladed) prop on Phil Meeson's Pitts. That second blade comes round b....y fast!!
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As a fellow chipmunker,I was offered that task once.Went to look at it,prop was sharp as a carving knife,so offered to sit in while he swung it;He wouldn't.Before long,all our club members would go into hiding when Mr.Meeson arrived.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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I remember watching a Baron get started in the wilds of PNG. Not a prop swing, but a u/s fuel pump. No problem, a coke can of fuel straight down the air intake and away she went!
At times, one must improvise!
At times, one must improvise!
Even so, it is something to file away in the memory banks for future reference.
Capt Fathom; When and where did this happen? Curious as to know.
