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FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL                           51

These demonstrations will ease the minds of many students and, in addition, bring out very important principles of airplane design as well as aerodynamic principles with which the student should become thoroughly familiar. In addition, these principles and demonstrations may be valuable later in the course should the student experience difficulty in control effect analysis during the perfecting or understanding of some advanced maneuver.

STARTING AND HANDLING THE ENGINE

Teaching the student his duties and the technique and proper procedure to be observed by the pilot in the cockpit while starting the engine is one of the most important parts of his training from a safety angle. The swinging of a propeller will be discussed separately.

The student should first learn that the propeller is the most dangerous part of the airplane, and to respect it accordingly, not only with regard to himself but others as well, and made to realize his responsibilities with regard to it.

The actual starting of the engine will not be discussed since there are as many different methods required as there are different engines, starters, and in some cases, propellers. However, the following procedure should be drilled into the student until it becomes a habitual routine from which he never deviates:

1. Before getting into the airplane see that the wheels are blocked with "chocks."

2. Immediately upon getting into the seat adjust and fasten the safety belt.

3. Turn on the gasoline from the tank or tanks recommended for starting.

4. See that the switch is off.

5. See that the mixture control is full rich.

6. See that the throttle is closed.

7. If a spark control is used, see that it is set at the recommended starting position.

8. The carburetor should be flooded by pumping the throttle or the engine should be primed, if a primer is installed. As a rule, if a primer is used the carburetor should not be flooded. In this regard, the student should be instructed regarding the evils of over-priming in general and of doing so to a hot engine in particular. 

From this point on, the procedure will vary depending on whether a starter is used or whether the engine is to be started by someone swinging the propeller. 

If a starter is used the student should always call All Clear? and wait for response and assurance before turning on the switch or pressing the starter control. Upon receiving assurance that all is clear he then calls: Contact! and engages the starter.

With many engines it is well to engage the starter and get the engine rotating before turning on the switch, particularly if the engine is one that requires heavy priming. 

The student should be taught how to "catch" a feebly starting or sputtering engine with the throttle. Too much or too fast an action with the throttle is as bad as not enough or too slow an action.