Pilotless Cessna takes flight
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Pilotless Cessna takes flight
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After a hand-start, the plane took off without the pilot!
Cessna takes off without pilot - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
After a hand-start, the plane took off without the pilot!
Cessna takes off without pilot - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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Blimey mate, you don't swing a prop without assistance!! At least it should have been chocked!! Even then you need someone to remove the chocks when you get back in the aircraft. 
He's lucky he got out of the way before the aircraft moved forward!!!
Obviously left the parking brake off.
He's lucky he got out of the way before the aircraft moved forward!!!
Obviously left the parking brake off.
Last edited by Lightning6; 4th Aug 2009 at 03:02. Reason: Added text.
Gave Aged Aunt a flight in a Chipmunk to another airfield, on departure used up the two remaining cartridges for starting. Primed, set brakes, put Aged Aunts' left hand on slightly cracked throttle with instructions to pull BACK if the engine started. Swung it myself.
Had visions of Aged Aunt getting airborne !
Got away with it. Aged Aunt never knew that that wasn't what flying was all about. Thoroughly enjoyed her flight from Croydon to the Isle of Wight and back - in 1957.
Had visions of Aged Aunt getting airborne !
Got away with it. Aged Aunt never knew that that wasn't what flying was all about. Thoroughly enjoyed her flight from Croydon to the Isle of Wight and back - in 1957.
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Perhaps I'm too stupid to understand this, but I don't get this story at all.
The pilot couldn't start the engine, so he tried swinging the prop. In a Cessna with an electric starter? Big no-no for starters.
Were the parking brakes not engaged? One of the first things you check surely.
Then the aircraft "became airborne". For that to happen the throttle must've been wide open - the aircraft wouldn't get airborne with 1/4" open and <1200rpm, which seems the normal starting setting for most aircraft.
Is this story a wind-up?
A somewhat bemused Smithy
The pilot couldn't start the engine, so he tried swinging the prop. In a Cessna with an electric starter? Big no-no for starters.
Were the parking brakes not engaged? One of the first things you check surely.
Then the aircraft "became airborne". For that to happen the throttle must've been wide open - the aircraft wouldn't get airborne with 1/4" open and <1200rpm, which seems the normal starting setting for most aircraft.
Is this story a wind-up?
A somewhat bemused Smithy
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Obligatory reference: VH-KBZ
vh-kbz - Google Images
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought electric starters all had a "Bendix" drive (or whatever it is called) which physically disengages the starter from the engine when the starter is not engaged. This would mean that hand-propping an engine with an electric starter does not have any impact on the starter whatsoever. There may be other considerations, but damage to the starter motor is not one of them.
vh-kbz - Google Images
In a Cessna with an electric starter? Big no-no for starters.
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I also believe the same BP. That's why if the starter warning light stays on after starting, you shut the engine down straight away because the starter ring is still engaged with the prop, never a sensible idea.
As that sketch in Chewin' The Fat used to go - "I smell ****e..."
Smithy
As that sketch in Chewin' The Fat used to go - "I smell ****e..."
Smithy
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Blimey mate, you don't swing a prop without assistance!!
Were the parking brakes not engaged? One of the first things you check surely.
The pilot couldn't start the engine, so he tried swinging the prop. In a Cessna with an electric starter? Big no-no for starters.
Is this story a wind-up?
What's shocking is that instructors aren't teaching students the proper technique to hand prop an airplane, given that it's basic propeller safety.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought electric starters all had a "Bendix" drive (or whatever it is called) which physically disengages the starter from the engine when the starter is not engaged. This would mean that hand-propping an engine with an electric starter does not have any impact on the starter whatsoever.
You are correct. However, it's not uncommon, especially with a dead battery, a weak bendix, or a damaged gear, to have the bendix stuck and engaged with the ring gear. Usually ensuring that it's disengaged is the first step in preparing to handprop, after making sure the airplane is secure and controls are set.
As far as a starter-engaged light....most light airplanes with which I'm familiar don't have them. One need only listen, and check the ammeter or voltmeter, to have an indication it's still engaged, however.
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I fly an L4 Cub,A-65 engine.
No parking brake,in fact brakes used soley for taxiing, if at all.
Normally on my own and often no one else at the strip.
No electric starter,the only way to get airborne is hand start,known as the Armstrong Starter
Chocks,tie stick back with harness,switches off, throttle shut (for me,others open a crack) Prime 2 pumps,pull through 6 blades,switch on 1,then swing.
Starts first time,every time.
Move round to put switch onto both and open throttle a crack,and jump in for run ups.
When all completed,throttle on tick over,jump out and remove chocks,get in and away we go.
We are on grass and we have several hand starters but no one ties down.
Been OK so far.
Lister
No parking brake,in fact brakes used soley for taxiing, if at all.
Normally on my own and often no one else at the strip.
No electric starter,the only way to get airborne is hand start,known as the Armstrong Starter
Chocks,tie stick back with harness,switches off, throttle shut (for me,others open a crack) Prime 2 pumps,pull through 6 blades,switch on 1,then swing.
Starts first time,every time.
Move round to put switch onto both and open throttle a crack,and jump in for run ups.
When all completed,throttle on tick over,jump out and remove chocks,get in and away we go.
We are on grass and we have several hand starters but no one ties down.
Been OK so far.
Lister
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If you try to start a lycoming with a flat battery the bendix will engage. When you swing it you have to drag the starter as well because you can't swing quick enough to disengage the starter untill the engine fires.
If you know what you are doing ,its perfectly safe.
Believe it or not, there ARE actually lots of planes flying without ANY electrics. I have two , they are called FUN.
If you know what you are doing ,its perfectly safe.
Believe it or not, there ARE actually lots of planes flying without ANY electrics. I have two , they are called FUN.
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Were the parking brakes not engaged?
The parking brake is mainly for decorative purposes - well perhaps not quite that but it doesn't have a reputation for being very effective so tends to remain unused.