Starting Your Plane by Yourself, 60ccc or Larger

just chiming in, i'd think there is the potential for any method to go astray and leave someone injured. more important than anything is for the person starting the engine to be comfortable with the method they're using.
flycanic's plane between his legs, or someone like myself that uses a rope for a tether that isn't paying attention and lets the rope go slack, or someone with a mechanical holder that isn't latched into place properly.....they can all go to hell very quickly.

but if you're careful and paying close attention to what you're doing you can probably use any of the three methods and be free from injuries your whole life.

whatever you do, don't start the plane at full throttle or let the throttle get bumped to full and you may be able to count to ten just before arriving on your deathbed.

Myself, being older and on sometime Unsteady legs, my concern would be if when the engine started up, it bumped me and I lost my balance. I have seen engines start this way without any mishaps. But I prefer to tie mine off to a post or around the tire of my truck.--Smitty

Jetpainter said:

This isn't the place for personal grudges.

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I could not agree more.

If I see someone starts a plane at my club just holding it, you will find me 200ft away.

Here is how I STOP a 60cc engine.

Lol



BJ Swope

I just started and flew my first gas plane (ever - GP61) this past Sunday and used one of these:
https://squareup.com/market/metal-masters-rc/tall-folding-aluminum-tail-hook

Worked great for me. I did have a friend help the first couple of times but started the last couple by myself.

Suds said:

I just started and flew my first gas plane (ever - GP61) this past Sunday and used one of these:
https://squareup.com/market/metal-masters-rc/tall-folding-aluminum-tail-hook

Worked great for me. I did have a friend help the first couple of times but started the last couple by myself.

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Hope it's a miss print saying 16' Tall?

LOL! I tried that leaning over from the rear once with my easiest to start engine, the Valach 170. It was a most awkward and uncomfortable position and felt more like I was sticking my face next to the prop. I use a single strap over the tail for the small stuff when by myself. I made a double strap, one loops the wing and one loops the stab on each side and is secured to two steel rod's driven 2 feet into the ground for when I am alone with the big one's. I also set the prop up so that I am flipping away and down with the arc.

Ohio AV8TOR said:

Hope it's a miss print saying 16' Tall?

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Well mine is much closer to 16 inches rather than 16 feet.