hfinley

Speaking in particular of the used ASP .46 engine I'm fixing to install on my plane, I have no doubt it's going to need some testing and setting before all the settings are dialed in. Since all these adjustments are 1 inch behind the propeller, certainly there has to be a better way than fiddling around so close to a spinning prop. Those things can hurt you BAD. Seems like there could be some sort of flywheel that can be mounted in place of the propeller till the testing and setting process is complete, or near complete. I realize that such a flywheel would have no air resistance like a prop, and therefore is not liable to allow perfect setting, but it seems like it could get you close, so that when you put on the actual propeller, any further needed setting would be minimal.

706jim

Bad idea.

There's a very large risk of engine over speeding and self destructing.

Also no forced air flow to cool the engine.

You're going to need the prop to fly the plane anyway.

hfinley

So, it means back to the fiddle and restart, fiddle and restart... I ran printing equipment for 38 years without getting hurt. I've seen lots of guys hurt. I've seen lots of guys fiddling with their airplane motors while they were running. Not me.

GREG DOE

Use a remote needle valve. Dub Jett sells one. Just about everyone uses them on the AMA 426 Quickie 500 event, as well as the 422 Quarter 40 event.

the Wasp

My Feedback: (1)

don't forget the Boing spring, many forget them

H5606

I've never seen needle proximity to the prop be the cause of injury and actually prefer needles on the carb - you are typically very focused when needling a running engine anyway.

With the needles on the carb and the engine in a conventional tractor configuration, I've had the back of the prop arc get my attention by slapping whatever touched it at worst.

However, I've witnessed plenty of accidents occur when individuals use airplane starting stands - like reaching through the prop arc to take the glow driver off, getting a neck strap tangled in the prop, or picking the model up.
Also seen unattended models falling off the stands and getting damaged - airplanes never fall off the ground.

daveopam

My Feedback: (9)

I would suggest making a tool to adjust the needles. For example on the high end. Cut a slot in the needle. Then take a fiberglass tube that will fit over the needle and put a thin metal piece through the tube 1/4" from the end. This tool will fit over the needle while it's running and keep your fingers away.

David