Bushy, I saw the same thing at an airshow in Jamestown about 8 years ago. Only difference was it was the whole roulettes team. I reckon those prop blades are probably about $10k each, times 4 per plane times 5 planes! No one is taught to think outside the box/stray from the rules. That might be a good thing in the whole scheme of things though - maybe that's why the RAAF's safety record is so good.

Just wondering,
Wouldnt doing your engine runs be a part of your Daily Inspection?
Then at least you would know you have a servicible a/c well before your departure time.
Personaly Loading your plane full of punters and finding out you have engine problems whilst taxing or Back Tracking isnt something that builds confidence in the travelling public!!!

I was taught that if there is a run up area, head in and turn around so I'm perpendicular to the taxiway. This way I have a good view of any traffic using the taxiway and I can taxi straight out when I'm done. Unless in a tail wheel, run ups into wind was not necessary.

The Roulettes were doing mag drop tests?
:oh:

Runups
 

Yes runups in a piston engined aircraft should be done before the passengers arrive, if possible.

Turbo props are a different story. It takes about five minutes from the time the first prop starts turning to when the wheels first turn. You cannot move till the flags have all gone away. And you can do serious damage to propellers in this time. When we first got the Kingairs we used to carry a broom and sweep the area beneath the props before starting.

Most of the aboriginal communities in central Australia have gravel airstrips, but have a small concrete pad in the parking area for the turboprops(which they used to own) to park on.
You will find yourself most unpopular if you park nyour bugsmasher on this pad when a turboprop is coming.

I have always wondered why the turbo props sit there and blast the carp out of you. I know they have to wait until thier flags go away but can't they start up, taxi to a clear are then wait for the flags to drop. Or is it something to do with the movement of the aircraft that stuffs up the initialisation?

Ah yes! Having a couple of Garretts start up beside you is one of life's great pleasures - NOT!

R:cool: