Rock The Prop?

I recently rented a Cherokee for a short flight. When I went up to the rental office, I was handed the book for the plane containing all of the pertinent information particular to it. On the books cover I found a notice stating in large bold print: "After flight please place the propeller in the vertical position." I understand the reasoning behind that request is to signal fuel truck drivers to fill the tanks of any aircraft with a vertical propeller. One of the very first things I do as a renter after opening the door of an airplane I intend to fly is to make certain all switches are in their proper place. Afterward, I begin the in-cockpit portion of my pre-flight: Engage the battery to ensure all lights and beacons are working.

Key Takeaways:

• A common practice at some FBOs and rental offices is to request pilots to place the aircraft propeller in a vertical position after flight, signaling fuel truck drivers to refuel the aircraft.
• The author strongly advises against this practice, deeming it extremely dangerous due to the risk of a "hot" magneto. If a p-lead is loose, moving the propeller could unexpectedly start the engine after shutdown, potentially causing severe injury or death.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.