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2 Answers

The right way to pull an airplane

Asked by: 3688 views
General Aviation, Private Pilot

Every time I pull my airplane out of the hangar, I fill like I don't know where to put my hand except the bar connected to the front wheel. I read that pulling the airplane by the propeller is a very bad habit but in the same time I see many people doing it. What would be your recommendations about the proper way to pull an airplane? That sounds like a stupid question (again from me) but I really don't want to hurt the airplane!

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2 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Kris Kortokrax on Jan 17, 2015

    The propeller creates thrust which pulls the airplane through the air. I doubt that the force required to overcome rolling resistance with properly inflated tires would overstress the propeller or crankshaft.

    However, if one were to move the propeller in the plane of rotation while pulling the airplane and the mags are not off (or there is a broken P lead), the engine could start and injure you.

    The best way to move the airplane is with the towbar. It only takes a minute to hook it up.

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  2. Bidochon on Jan 17, 2015

    Thanks Kris. Of course, I forgot about the P lead.
    I’m already using the towbar but used to have one hand on the twobar and another on the propeller… I will keep both hands on the towbar in the future.

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