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propping a float plane
I thought of this because I used to rent a J-3 in northwest Illinois. After the owner got comfortable with me, I received permission to take it anywhere I wanted but clearly because it had no nav lights, be sure to get home before dark. Usually he propped it for me when I was leaving. I found if I went somewhere else and shut it down, I could prop it by standing in front of the wing struts and swinging the prop from behind. the idea was that if it developed any thrust, I'd prevent it from going flying without me by preventing it from moving since I was in the way of the struts.
One time this didn't work. It was a very hot day and maybe I'd flooded the carb. I just couldn't get enough leverage to really swing the prop and I wasn't comfortable being in front of an unrestrained plane and turning it even with the mags off. so I tied the tail to a tree with one of the tie-down lines, pulled it forward til the rope was taut and then cleared out the carb and got it started, set it to an unaggressive idle, untied it and flew home. But then I wasn't standing on a float.
Are you sure you want floats?
best, john
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