5
$\begingroup$

enter image description here
(YouTube)

Watching the Connie fire up her engines I wondered, do some radial engine planes have a two-speed starter motor to replace the ground crew "pulling the props through"?

In other words, low-speed–mags-off to test for a potential hydraulic lock.

I do realize the props could have been pulled through off-camera before being towed out for the show.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ It appears from the other answer that hydraulic lock is only a problem after the plane has sat for a long period. Might not be necessary to pull through if the plane has been flown that day $\endgroup$ – TomMcW Mar 14 '17 at 21:41
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Btw, have you ever heard a Connie? A place in Gardner KS works on them and when they test fly it you can hear it in the next county $\endgroup$ – TomMcW Mar 14 '17 at 21:43
7
$\begingroup$

There seems to be only one starter speed:

Proper sequence for starting radial engines...DC-6B style, with P&W R-2800's.

  • Engage start and start safety switches.
  • Rotate thru 9 blades.
  • While continuing to rotate the engine with the starter, engage primer and ignition boost switches, and at the same time, select magnetos to 'both'.
  • When engine fires, continue starting with the fuel primer engaged, releasing the start and start safety switches.
  • Slowly move mixture control to the autolean position, then release fuel prime switch.
  • Engine continues to run (hopefully).
  • Taxi in autolean, until engine run-up desired.
  • Complete run-up and propellor checks in autorich.
  • Return mixture to autolean.
  • Prior to takeoff, ensure engine mixture controls are in autorich (very important).

Have a pleasant day, thereafter (hopefully). ;-)

DC-3 about the same, except...

  • use autorich for all ground ops.
  • Engine type, P&W R-1830-92.
  • Curtis Wright engines...can't remember.

Stratocruiser, same as the DC-6B. DC-7 and Lockheed 1649, same also, as the DC-6B.

NB. Operating in autolean helps to prevent plug fouling while on the ground.

[Posted by 411A on May 18th, 2008 at pprune.org]

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ TIL auto-lean is a thing. :) $\endgroup$ – ymb1 Mar 14 '17 at 14:11

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.