rcarsey
Well Known Member
So, last year I was the unfortunate witness of my hangar neighbor starting his Aerostar Festival with Jabiru engine while the towbar was still attached..
Needless to say, his wood prop was destroyed - and finding a suitable replacement was a challenge since most modern Festivals are apparently using larger Rotax engines now.
Since then, part of my -12iS checklist is to physically turn my head and observe my towbar in the baggage area. However, I'm starting to think that it'd be a cool idea to extend the Spar Pin switches circuit to a 3rd microswitch that could detect if the towbar wasn't mounted in some sort of plastic towbar holder clips like these. Meaning, both spar pins and the towbar would all need to be secured in order to crank the engine (or press the big red override button).
Anyone care to comment on pros/cons of this? I haven't investigated a mounting location yet (top of fuel tank? baggage floor? against baggage side wall/roll bar?), or how it could be [easily] accomplished with the carpet interior options.
Needless to say, his wood prop was destroyed - and finding a suitable replacement was a challenge since most modern Festivals are apparently using larger Rotax engines now.
Since then, part of my -12iS checklist is to physically turn my head and observe my towbar in the baggage area. However, I'm starting to think that it'd be a cool idea to extend the Spar Pin switches circuit to a 3rd microswitch that could detect if the towbar wasn't mounted in some sort of plastic towbar holder clips like these. Meaning, both spar pins and the towbar would all need to be secured in order to crank the engine (or press the big red override button).
Anyone care to comment on pros/cons of this? I haven't investigated a mounting location yet (top of fuel tank? baggage floor? against baggage side wall/roll bar?), or how it could be [easily] accomplished with the carpet interior options.