[recon]

One guy showed me and some others how to start an engine just by flicking the spinner backwards against the compression. He said to prime the engine, put the glow igniter on and grip the prop firmly and start turning it over until you feel a "bump" then he flicked the spinner and the engine started! He did it with, I think, a 1.60 but said he has done it with .25's. Im trying to do it with my .46 with no success. I cant seem to get this method to work, is there any secret to doing it?

[JimMoss]

I do it with almost all my engines except my gas.

Carbs have to be set up 100% for it to work well.

It does work ..... doesn't mark the prop or spinner either which is nice.

[David_Moen]

I broke-in am MVVS 91 the weekend before last on a test stand. For giggles I gave teh prop a flip after I had it ready to go, and it fired right up! I haven't been able to do that again cold, but once it has been warmed up, it is a one flip starter every time!

[Icebird]

The trick I've found is that the engine has to be "wet." In other words, prime it more than usual. On my 160, I virtually flooded it, and one flick and away it would go.

HTH
Jim

[Fodder]

The Saito's are easy once primed well. Unfortunately, I can't get my other engines to work as easy.

[flysrcs]

I don't cosider my engines properly set up unless they will start this way. All of my engines start this way. Also this is the only way my super tiger 300 will start. You can turn it over all dfay long and not even a fire or bumb. One flick against compression and away it will go, or at least till the carb craps out. (original carb though, I have a fix I think for it.)
Dave.

[TLyttle]

I fly nothing bigger than a .21, so there is only one logical way to start my engines. I had a starter for many years and eventually sold it before it rotted away! :P

I agree with those who say that their engines aren't right unless it will flick start; I still have a 2-stroke lawn mower (Lawn Boy) and I know it is sick when it won't start just by pulling it through, gently, a couple of times.

I get kinda antsy when I look at a diesel of over 21-size, though, wondering if I really need all these fingers...

[4*60]

Enjoy your little games. That's what makes it fun!

As for me I will continue to use my starter and keep my fingers away from the prop.

[David_Moen]

What's life without a lottle risk!

I've never been able to get a small glow engine fired up witha backflip, but the bigger rotating mass of the 91 sized engines and props they swing make them very easy to start this way. ALso if you have a glow igniter in your pocket and the thing falmes-out on the runway before take-off you don't have to carry it all the way back to the pits.

[4*60]

That's what comes with age....... risk/reward calculations.

And I have risked much more than fingers and received much larger rewards than an engine firing.