Propeller blast etiquette......

[MarkW]

My least favorite parking spot for lunch or breakfast is KSGJ St Augustine.
They line us up parallel to that twin in the middle of the picture.
To pull out of line puts you with the blast into the lean to building that usually has planes in it. They basically put you in a dead end.
Pulling all the way out is uphill and very difficult when solo. If you motor then the uphill causes you to use even more power.
It is pretty much a no win.

[flycassutts]

Look at the ramp photo again keeping in mind that the prop blast spreads, covering a much larger area than just the arc of the propeller in front of the plane. The blast does spread out to the point that it does impact the ailerons of the planes not directly behind you.

My worst experience with this problem occurred at Sun & Fun when many RV pilots wanting to get out before the airport was closed for the air show, jump in their planes, fire up in their parking spot and blast out. Keep in mind there is soft sand and grass that tends to require rather high RPM to taxi. It all happened unexpectedly and I hurried to my RV6A to hang on to the tail surfaces while my wife hung on to the ailerons. I tried to attract the attention of the volunteers who?s purpose are to direct traffic, all to no avail. The volunteers should have immediately required those pilots to shut down and pull into the alley to start.

I have also had my hanger prop blasted along with my plane inside. Talk about getting mad, yes I lost control, but that?s another story.

[Canadian_JOY]

I know we have some rotary-wing pilots in this crowd. Just ask them if there's ANY way to land or take off without something or somebody getting blown over.

A fellow who ties his C150 down in front of our row hangar insists on taxiing into his tie down spot. He's parked on grass and blows all the grass back into the row hangar. Three row hangar owners have asked him to desist and yet he continues. Really makes one wonder...

[Rupester]

This thread is a good reminder - and a way to educate the uneducated. Propblast etiquette was never mentioned or taught by my otherwise excellent original flight instructor. I had never thought about the issue until I read it in these very forums back in 2005.
This seems to be a more important issue for those of who spent years building our RVs. I perceive most of the spam can guys and "super rich" have never thought about it .... it's up to us to teach them.
Live and learn .... read VAF and learn!!

[RV7A Flyer]

Originally Posted by Toobuilder

Well now don't beat yourself up too much... Depends how you do it and how wide the alley is. There's not much issue taxiing out of such a spot so long as you don't blast your way out of the spot and around the corner. A small increase in power to get rolling shouldn't hurt the airplanes on the other side of the taxiway, and common courtesy requires us to pull the throttle back to idle as we swing the tail through the airplanes on either side... So it can be done if you think about it. OTOH, a heavy twin on flat spotted tires is going to create all kinds of chaos if they try the same thing, but a light RV should be no issue.

I can't agree with this. First, how many people do you see starting up with the throttle opened way too much, and the RPMs going to 1800 or so when the engine lights up? Then, as you said, you have to increase power to overcome friction. And lastly, it's *just not necessary* to start there, and send sand and gravel and FOD back at the aircraft behind you.

I say common courtesy requires us to pull out planes out and start them where they won't blast other aircraft.

[RV7A Flyer]

Originally Posted by Canadian_JOY

I know we have some rotary-wing pilots in this crowd. Just ask them if there's ANY way to land or take off without something or somebody getting blown over.

A fellow who ties his C150 down in front of our row hangar insists on taxiing into his tie down spot. He's parked on grass and blows all the grass back into the row hangar. Three row hangar owners have asked him to desist and yet he continues. Really makes one wonder...

Maybe return the favor... when taxiing by his airplane?

[RVTOY]

My hangar was across from flight school and while there I have walked out with a broom and gave to the flight instructor upon their return many times. Red in face and sheepish grin to student and I found the student were more apologetic and willing to man a second broom. Almost had them trained then was able to move to different location on Airport.

[RV7ator]

Thread Steal! Besides the blasters, there's another type of mindless oaf that I come across more often...the dope who pulls up to the hold short line and THEN does their run-up and take-off check list, blocking access to the runway for those ready to depart. Half of them seem to be with instructors! The latest was at Council Bluffs two weeks ago. After one minute I bugged them. Then another few minutes of prep, then waiting unnecessarily for a Slowtation five miles out. Complete lack of situational awareness.

None of these characters own the airport.

John Siebold

[Toobuilder]

Originally Posted by RV7A Flyer

I can't agree with this. First, how many people do you see starting up with the throttle opened way too much, and the RPMs going to 1800 or so when the engine lights up? Then, as you said, you have to increase power to overcome friction. And lastly, it's *just not necessary* to start there, and send sand and gravel and FOD back at the aircraft behind you.

I say common courtesy requires us to pull out planes out and start them where they won't blast other aircraft.

Its situational. I'm not going to blast anyones airplane, but I'm also not going to pull out a surveyors transit to ensure my tail isn't pointed at any other airplane on the field either.

And lets not forget that blocking the alley while you shove the airplane out, load up, strap in listen to ATIS, and crank up is not exactly courteous either.

This situation revolves around about the "aware" and the "clueless"... Not the degrees in between.

[rolivi]

Originally Posted by Toobuilder

And lets not forget that blocking the alley while you shove the airplane out, load up, strap in listen to ATIS, and crank up is not exactly courteous either.

Not to mention the guy behind you in the alley that is trying to conform to the goal of this thread who will get propwashed by you while avoiding do the same to others.

Isn't the real point to be as courteous as possible at all times?

Of course we need to be aware of what else is happening around us and use some judgement before we light the fire.

No need for finger pointing.