TFC Tipsy Nipper Golf X-Ray Delta

Tipsy Nipper flying at Riverside Airport Dundee, the Nipper was the first aircraft owned by Tayside Aviation and in recent years was returned to Dundee as a syndicate owned aircraft.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Tipsy
• Nipper
• Aircraft
• Tayside
• Aviation
• TFC
• Flying
• Scotland
• Dundee
• Airport

[red05stang]

I do fly and also have an A&P. thats not how its done in the states. use both hands palms "OPEN" on the front or face of the prop. and never stand behind it. your trapping yourself. in your video he is clearly wrapping his fingers around the the trailing edge of the prop. kiss your fingers behind. and some chocks wouldn't hurt either,

Very unsafe

[murrayhay]

It's fairly obvious from looking at the prop 'starting position' ['11 O'clock' viewed from the front] that using both hands AND standing IN FRONT of the prop would be VERY dangerous in the case of a Tipsy Nipper...

You can see that only one hand is needed to swing the small engine/shortish prop.

Note: Due to the very light weight it is unlikely 'chocks' would be of any real use.

IF standing IN FRONT.. the required swing action would bring the head close to the prop...!

[red05stang]

well this is just a clear case of the rules and regulations of different countries. the U.S. teaches the way i explained. i wasnt trying to mock just trying to point out safety. An A&P is Airframe and Powerplant license required be an U.S. mechanic

[murrayhay]

Cool, however regarding 'rules & regs',

In the for the case in question this will NOT be 'country specific', rather 'Aircraft specific'..

I.e it (the approved method to swing prop) will be as stated in the Aircraft Flight Manual listing how the pilot should start the engine.

Trying to start a 'Nipper' with two hands and while in front of the prop would be VERY dangerous, standing clear behind the prop with the free hand holding the wing is clearly a LOT safer! (for a Tipsy Nipper)

[ejlister]

I wouldn't want to do it EITHER way! Haha! I'd have to take a break for CPR and an oxygen tent... it was a lot of work to get that puppy started!

[murrayhay]

Yep, I've seen it start with a couple of swings 'switches off' to draw fuel through then a swing (or two) to start.. that day it clearly just was not keen to run!

[datzfast]

the aircraft design reminds me of a mid wing flybaby.

[shedworld99]

If you start it from ahead then you need to run the risk of the prop trimming your toes, of having it run away (you can't get to the throttle easily from ahead!) and falling into the prop. From behind it is simple to get it running, the spare hand can hold the strut and the throttle is within reach. The green rope (strut to the wheel) is a simple brake (prevents the wheel turning) until you release the special knot and haul the rope in. Simple, cheap and lightweight.

[murrayhay]

I noticed that you have no aviation cips on YouTube.. do you in fact fly????

The pilot in this clip is highly experianced PPL with IMC/Night ratings etc. for his 'day job' he is a WO in the RAF...

The procedure shown is EXACTLY the same as used by all the other 'Nipper' pilots at the club including the PPL Instructors who fly it..

If YOU think this method is wrong, perhaps you should put up a clip showing YOU hand starting a 'Nipper'

[red05stang]

if they had a book "how not to hand prop" you'd be on every page. pure stupidity.!! surprised you have both arms.