I just read the letter about the guy who thought it would be a great idea to place the prop in a horizontal position after every shutdown to prevent engine damage in the event of nosewheel collapse (A lesson learned, Sept. 21 issue). Phil Boyer was all for it. Huh?
I have taught my students always to treat that prop as a potential deadly weapon and never to move it unless propping. I would like to know the statistics of deaths from inadvertent engine starts vs. nosewheel collapse on the ramp.
As for the wood prop placed horizontally to prevent sap migration, I again would like a look at the stats. Let’s keep common sense in aviation.
JIM AUGSPURGER
ATP/CFII