Left or middle start switch?

[oren_rokach]

I used to own an LSA, where the ignition start push-buttom was located in the middle of the panel. between the pilot and co-pilot.
I saw some advantages for this in case of a engine shut failure:
1. I can continue flying the aircraft with my left hand, as iam used to.
2. If another pilot flies with me, (s)he can work on engine start attempts, while I focus on finding proper forced landing spot.

yet,
In the past few weeks I have gone through dozens of builders' panels. and 99% install the ignition start key on the left side
Can someone shed some light on this?

Thanks!

 

[RV6_flyer]

I used to own an LSA, where the ignition start push-buttom was located in the middle of the panel. between the pilot and co-pilot.
I have seen advantages for this in case of a engine shut failure:
1. I can continue flying the aircraft with my left hand, as iam used to.
2. If another pilot flies with me, (s)he can work on engine start attempts, while I focus on finding proper forced landing spot.

yet,
In the past few weeks I have gone through dozens of builders' panel. and 99%
install the ignition start key in the middle.

Can someone shed some light on this?

Thanks!

I like the key or start button / ignition switch(es) to be worked by the hand that is NOT on the throttle.

 

[Ezburton]

I used to own an LSA, where the ignition start push-buttom was located in the middle of the panel. between the pilot and co-pilot.
I have seen advantages for this in case of a engine shut failure:
1. I can continue flying the aircraft with my left hand, as iam used to.
2. If another pilot flies with me, (s)he can work on engine start attempts, while I focus on finding proper forced landing spot.

yet,
In the past few weeks I have gone through dozens of builders' panel. and 99%
install the ignition start key in the middle.

Can someone shed some light on this?

Thanks!

I actually installed two illuminated push buttons... one on each side in my Velocity. I have side sticks and center throttle and didn't know which stick I would prefer after flying a Long EZ for 10 years. Turns out I like the left stick. I was also thinking I would be training my daughter in the plane.

 

[pa38112]

In an engine-out your propeller should be windmilling. I think the # of times you would have an engine out, and it is not windmilling, and you have a passenger who doesn't need coaching (which you will not have time to do), and the starter will actually help with a re-start... are going to be very very very low. It does not overshadow the ability to work the starter and throttle together for the 99.99999999999% of the time.

That's my $0.02 anyway.

 

[oren_rokach]

I actually installed two illuminated push buttons... one on each side in my Velocity. I have side sticks and center throttle and didn't know which stick I would prefer after flying a Long EZ for 10 years. Turns out I like the left stick. I was also thinking I would be training my daughter in the plane.

Don, thats a great idea!. having 2!!

as i previous mentioned in this forum, last year, I have this unfortunate experience of a vapor lock, and engine shut down. the prop was not thread milling anymore, and eventually I landed in the field.
After several attempts I stopped trying , and focused only on the landing itself.
I always think of this possiblitly of having another trained pilot besides me (happens many times), in which one will land the plane and the other will keep on trying to the dead end...

Having 2 is a great solution! will implement that

thanks
Oren

 

[Ezburton]

Don, thats a great idea!. having 2!!

as i previous mentioned in this forum, last year, I have this unfortunate experience of a vapor lock, and engine shut down. the prop was not thread milling anymore, and eventually I landed in the field.
After several attempts I stopped trying , and focused only on the landing itself.
I always think of this possiblitly of having another trained pilot besides me (happens many times), in which one will land the plane and the other will keep on trying to the dead end...

Having 2 is a great solution! will implement that

thanks
Oren

The first loop I did in the carbureted Long EZ was so awful that the engine stopped, fuel smell, etc. Since this was the first time, I lined up high enough to glide to my home airport and was pointed in that direction. Everyone says the engine will windmill and restart if you dive fast enough. I was going about 130+ kias and no luck with the self start. Blipped the starter switch and it came to life. In my case... I don't know if the prop is wind milling (or if the engine is one fire for that matter), so hit the start switch and don't waste time.

MTCW

 

[Mel]

The first loop I did in the carbureted Long EZ was so awful that the engine stopped, fuel smell, etc. Since this was the first time, I lined up high enough to glide to my home airport and was pointed in that direction. Everyone says the engine will windmill and restart if you dive fast enough. I was going about 130+ kias and no luck with the self start. Blipped the starter switch and it came to life. In my case... I don't know if the prop is wind milling (or if the engine is one fire for that matter), so hit the start switch and don't waste time.
MTCW

It has a lot to do with "flywheel effect". If a wood prop stops it's very hard to get it to windmill again. A heavier metal prop will windmill much more often.

 

[BobTurner]

Balance the advantages (passenger might help) of a right-seat-accessible start switch with the disadvantages (passenger might ?help? while engine is running). Personally if a passenger could easily touch that button I?d want some sort of lock out protection. But then, it defeats the purpose of if you really need the help.

 

[Kyle Boatright]

The first loop I did in the carbureted Long EZ was so awful that the engine stopped, fuel smell, etc. Since this was the first time, I lined up high enough to glide to my home airport and was pointed in that direction. Everyone says the engine will windmill and restart if you dive fast enough. I was going about 130+ kias and no luck with the self start. Blipped the starter switch and it came to life. In my case... I don't know if the prop is wind milling (or if the engine is one fire for that matter), so hit the start switch and don't waste time.

MTCW

In my RV-6, I've found that about 140 knots is necessary to get the prop to spin for a self-start. Below that, it'll slowly ease through a compression stroke, then come to a near-stop at the next blade, ease through that compression stroke, etc.