Hand propping a DC-3, maybe one man and one sleeve on a 520. http://www.douglasdc3.com/prop/prop.htm

Good video on AOPA along the lines of this subject. They demo on a 180 although its a 2 blade. I've had to hand prop my 185 with a 3 blade MT on one occasion. I utilized the techniques from the video and ATK's facebook post. I'm certainly no math wizard but the difference between 2 and 3 blade as far as how long till the blade can hit you is negligible.

I focused on making sure I knew where the spark and timing were prior to pulling and with each pull assumed the engine would start. It took three or 4 pulls to start. Gloves on and rings off.

Just my 2 cents.

I really like AKT’s method. Never seen that before but I’ve not been around long.

I’ve only hand-propped twice, and on 2-blade props. Both were uneventful and successful but I wholeheartedly agree about carrying a small jump pack. With today’s technology there’s no excuse to be stuck hand-propping unless the airplane just isn’t equipped with a starter.

So on the topic of a "jump pac" what are the recommends from the BCP community

mtv wrote:I’ve propped IO-520 on a 185. Not fun, and you REALLY need to be thinking about that next blade, cause it’s coming quick. This was on floats, and prop from behind. Gloves are VERY nice. If nothing else, they help to contain the fingers that are lost.

That’s a joke, by the way...sorta. Just be on top of your game as far as starting, pay CLOSE attention and go for it.

Nowadays, those “Start Pacs” are so small, light and powerful, I carry one. Just be certain you can connect everything AND start Engine by yourself. Maybe get a pigtail installed to facilitate.

I’ve propped a lot of airplanes and it doesn’t scare me, but if there’s a better alternative? Go there.

MTV

Great comments from everyone. In the end - I foresee a jump pack in my future although Kevin's video makes it seem doable. Appreciate all the feedback.

Robw56 - you father took great care of the airplane. It is super clean bird. The O-290 makes it a real performer.

Josh

Mapleflt wrote:So on the topic of a "jump pac" what are the recommends from the BCP community

There are a few threads on this already. I went with the EarthX for $99.

https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/jump ... bush-18481
https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/anti ... tery-16562
https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/whic ... -get-19335

I've propped a bunch of different stuff. Easiest was a 985, hardest was a VW with that short little wood prop on a Sonerai. That one almost got my fingers!
We had a P-Navajo get repo'd once on our field, and the 2 young guys came to fly it out. They got it fired up with a jump, and taxied to the fuel pumps. By the time they got fueled, they needed another jump, missed the start and then the starter on the right engine gave out. The more "portly" one of the two hopped out and proceeded to hand prop it.... it was kinda like a car wreck...I didn't want to watch, but had to. After countless tries, he actually got it going but by that time the "pilot" had relaxed his attention on the brakes, so when it fired it lurched ahead about 6". I about lost my lunch, but he just smiled and waved and hopped in and away they went. I still get a chill when I think about it.
John

hardtailjohn wrote:We had a P-Navajo get repo'd once on our field, and the 2 young guys came to fly it out. They got it fired up with a jump, and taxied to the fuel pumps. By the time they got fueled, they needed another jump, missed the start and then the starter on the right engine gave out. The more "portly" one of the two hopped out and proceeded to hand prop it.... it was kinda like a car wreck...I didn't want to watch, but had to. After countless tries, he actually got it going but by that time the "pilot" had relaxed his attention on the brakes, so when it fired it lurched ahead about 6". I about lost my lunch, but he just smiled and waved and hopped in and away they went. I still get a chill when I think about it.

Sounds like a great episode for Airplane Repo. I bet those reality TV guys would make hay out of that.