Prop Strike

Have you ever let someone exit your plane while the engine was still running?

  • Never

    Votes: 34 34.7%

  • Yes, for a passenger or pilot

    Votes: 16 16.3%

  • Yes, but only for another pilot.

    Votes: 48 49.0%
  • Total voters
    98
  • Poll closed .
I'd only let certain people out with the engine running (other pilots and a few selected others), but overall I don't worry about it, provided it's the right person.

Comes down to your risk tolerance and what you're willing to accept. I'm willing to accept walking around a plane with a spinning prop safely (and do), and if like-minded people who can accept the risk and know how to do so
safely as well want to, I don't have an issue with it.
 
Recently when I got my tailwheel endorsement, my CFI climbed out of the Cub with the engine running. I didn't feel uncomfortable in the least as we both had propped the plane.

That same trip down to Waynesville, OH, I had the opportunity to start the Stearman with the inertia starter (hand crank). That was a very nervous feeling after the third try, completely winded and pulling out the starter. That radial sputtered to life and I hugged the leading edge of the lower wing as I walked away.

Those situations aside, I would not let a passenger exit the airplane I was flying unless the engine was not running and the mags were off.
 
I brief anyone capable of following instructions before letting them exit away from a spinning prop, if not capable they're escorted by someone who is or the engine is shut down.
 
In helicopter operations it's not uncommon to load and unload with the blades turning. It just requires briefing the passengers and loaders before hand.

We use to do rides at events and we never shut down unless it was to fuel. We were taking 3 passengers at a time and would do hot turns within 90 seconds to 2 minutes using two ground handlers.
 
I accidentally left the nose wheel chocks in place once, started up and couldn't taxi, I had already gotten taxi clearance from ground.

The thought actually crossed my mind to set the parking brake and grab the chocks, but then I remembered that the prop was spinning up there.

I'm so glad I chose to shut down instead.
 
Rotor&Wing said:
In helicopter operations it's not uncommon to load and unload with the blades turning. It just requires briefing the passengers and loaders before hand.
Click to expand...

Do the blades "flap" up and down much during while idle or do they stay within the same plane?
 
Pi1otguy said:
Do the blades "flap" up and down much during while idle or do they stay within the same plane?
Click to expand...


I've loaded many times into a running helo, it's freakin scary, no, they don't remain within the same plane, and on my vessels, if the wind was strong enough, I demanded the rotors be shut down, screw the cycle expense, someone gets hurt or killed, it's my a$$.
 
Pi1otguy said:
Do the blades "flap" up and down much during while idle or do they stay within the same plane?
Click to expand...

Depends upon conditions. On a solid surface with light winds the blades stay in the same track.

If it's windy they will tend to move up and down some, really depends upon the gust.

Most helicopter operators have it written into their op specs to idle the engine(s) and friction the controls so the pilot can exit the aircraft while it's running. This is common with EMS helicopter operators so the pilot can supervise the loading and guard the tail rotor.
 
I've done it with a CFI and an A&P but it isn't something I'm comfortable with. My rules for PAX are to stay behind the wing and in front of the tail. When moving about the ramp, walk with me and watch for moving planes.
Of course, all the discussion in the world doesn't help. I watched a pilot push his plane... Ringht into his passenger (his mother on her first flight). So, we all have to be vigilant.
 
I used to do it in the 152 when I was giving rides to more than one person.I would give them directions before we left that everyone must enter an exit from the rear of the plane,and remind them when they got out. But now I have started turning the engine off,doesn't take much more time and is much safer. I think other pilots would be ok to drop off,if you are a pilot I would hope you would have enough brains to exit to the rear.
 
silver-eagle said:
I've done it with a CFI and an A&P but it isn't something I'm comfortable with. My rules for PAX are to stay behind the wing and in front of the tail. When moving about the ramp, walk with me and watch for moving planes.
Of course, all the discussion in the world doesn't help. I watched a pilot push his plane... Ringht into his passenger (his mother on her first flight). So, we all have to be vigilant.
Click to expand...

We gotta hear about that one, pushed his plane into someone?
 
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