"Clear Prop!"

[Monocock]

I don't bother shouting it for one good reason.

When the prop starts up I'm the one with my right arm giving it a good throw downwards...

If there is a stray wino or young antelope within striking distance I would see it.

[Whirlybird]

I shout "Clear". Firstly, it's understandable by non-aviation people. Secondly, it applies equally in helicopters, which don't have a prop. Actually for my PPL(H) I was taught to just look behind...because it's the tail rotor you don't want anyone to run into. But I teach my students to look behind AND yell "Clear". It can't do any harm, and it might do some good.

And I don't care what anyone thinks; I'll continue to do it.

[High Wing Drifter]

I wonder how many accidents have been recorded which could have been avoided had the pilot shouted 'clear prop'? I'm guessing not many but let's have some hard statistics here.

Ah yes! But isn't the tenets of airmanship the process of reducing risk. As is costs nothing to yelp, then however small, the risk is reduced for no overall loss. A bit like strobes really

I have often seen people about to take a short cut across the patch where my plane is, gassing away, oblivious to me. A quick yell and they give me a wide wide birth. I have never felt comfortable walking near a running prop and neither do many people I wager.

I imagine in the old days, when starter motors were new fangled things but ground crew were still essential, there were many horiffic accidents.

[dmjw01]

But isn't the tenant of airmanship the process of reducing risk.

No it isn't. It might be one of the tenets of airmanship, though.

[High Wing Drifter]

No it isn't. It might be one of the tenets of airmanship, though.

Zoiks! Bit of a howler

[Maxflyer]

I have a son who is two and a half. When asked what do we shout before staring the engine, he proudly and loudly shouts "Queer Pop!"

[Avgas172]

Oh dear, I've been doing it all wrong all these years..... I just stick my head out of the window of the 172 and sing out loudly (as aussies tend to do) "getoutadebloodyway"

[jezbowman]

jezbowman, I have flown with several experienced American pilots, and they always shouted "clear prop!"; so I think your experience reflects incompetence on the part of the individual instructor (sic!), rather than a difference between British and American practices

Fair enough - he was about 12 years old so this probably is the case.

[J.A.F.O.]

There are plenty of stupid people out there; and even normally prudent and intelligent people are entirely capable of occasional thoughtless acts.

That's the problem, as soon as you make something foolproof, they just start making better fools.

I'm now trying to decide between tKF's "CLEAR" and Avgas' more forthright "getoutadebloodyway".

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

In open cockpit or canopy aeroplanes, like Chippys and Yaks, you can extend the right arm vertically and twirl your hand round, forefinger extended, as you shout 'Clear Prop'. The visual signal leaves bystanders in no doubt about what is about to happen, and the shout draws their attention to you.

SSD

[ozplane]

The scene is the last PFA Rally at Cranfield. Hero pilot (me) jumps in aircraft and for the benefit of the "anorak" directly in front of the prop (complete with binocs, airband radio and notebook) I yell "Clear Prop". "What" he replies "Clear Prop" I reply "What" he replies. "F..k off you dozy b.....D" "Oh right" and he moved. Perhaps the great unwashed don't understand the terminology?

[WestWind1950]

I have never heard it being yelled in Germany. I first experienced it when flying in the USA. It was standard procedure at the school I flew at. I found it difficult and somehow silly. I still don't do it over here. I look around to see if anyone is near.... I honestly don't think anyone would hear me anyway!

It would be interesting to know.... have any of you actually heard "clear prop" being yelled by another pilot? I haven't.....

Westy

hmmmm... what could be the German equivalent? "haut ab!"? "bleib' weg vom Prop"? "Distanz bitte"? just isn't the same........

[MLS-12D]

"What" he replies. "F..k off you dozy b.....D" "Oh right" and he moved.

I trust that you are paraphrasing, and that your actual remark was considerably more diplomatic (private aviation has enough opponents already, without creating new ones).

P.S. I see the term 'anorak' used quite a lot on this forum; generally in a derogatory manner. I infer that it means some sort of socially inept type, especially someone devoted to obscure or less-than-glamorous interests (e.g., birdwatching, aircraft spotting, MS Flight Simulator, etc). Did I get that right?

[Chuck Ellsworth]

I come at this subject from another mindset altogether, before I start the engine / engines on any flying device I confirm " clear to start "

In a single pilot operation I personally confirm that it is clear and in a two pilot operation which is mostly what I fly it is manditory before engine starts and must be confirmed by both pilots.

And no I do not shout " Clear Prop " before hitting the start switch.

Having determined that it is clear to start, shouting " Clear Prop " would be unnecessary redundancy........

Chuck E.

[MLS-12D]

Sure Chuck; your method would work at least as well, at deserted aerodromes or in airplanes where you can see the prop(s) from the cockpit.

On the other hand, it's best to call out when attempting to start 'blind' airplanes at busy airports (there have been incidents in which ground crew have attempted to rig up Harvards and similar airplanes for towing, not knowing that there was a pilot about to start up).

[J.A.F.O.]

MLS

Diplomacy has its place but it isn't always the best approach with anoraks (and, yes, you're spot on with your definition).

[Chuck Ellsworth]

Fair comment MLS-12D, I agree with you and please note that I have zero problem with any method of assuring safety.

I was only attempting to explain how I do it.

By the way merry Xmas and all the best in the new year to everyone here.

Chuck

[Kolibear]

And on the rare occasions that I go bird-watching now, I wear a Barbour, not a anorak, as its warmer and windproof.

Happy Christmas

[Mylo]

Shortstripper...Would that be the same Falconer that carried out a full power ground run with its tail pointed into the hangars the previous week??? Practice what you preach!!!!

[ChampChump]

As I may have been partly responsible for this thread, via Strobes, I feel more confident here to iterate I was taught to yell 'Clear Prop!' and give a decent, useful pause after.

In the US, it was 'Clear!' but both sides of the pond the emphasis was on the same thing: make a big noise and make it count.

There will never be numerical proof of its eficacy, but I don't care.

Besides, where else does one get encouraged to yell like a fishwife? I was never good at Ladylike; this makes sense in more ways than one.