My old, long-gone flight instructor was maniacal about prop inspection (“Preflighting Propellers,” August 2020). Here in Boston, when we conducted preflight in the dead of winter, he would rotate the prop with a peculiar hand and foot arrangement that was “proper” in case of starting. Keys were always on top of the dash so we could see them walking around. Before touching the prop we looked for the keys as part of the process.
I have thought about this over the years and have come to the conclusion that if it is too cold for the engine to be turned over with the starter (he drew it through 360 degrees, I think to assure it was not stuck from the cold), then it is too cold for me to fly.
