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2 Answers

Oops, forgot to set the mixture to full rich on start-up, is the engine ok?

Asked by: 4609 views ,
Aircraft Systems, General Aviation

So today during my takeoff checklist I accidentally tried to start my plane without putting the mixture to full rich..afterwards I restarted the whole checklist, the plane started right up and runs fine...will that cause anything bad to happen to the plane?

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2 Answers



  1. Brian on Dec 14, 2011

    Nope. Many planes are started by keeping the mixture at idle/cutoff and advancing it when you hear the engine fire. You’re fine, happy flying. 🙂
     
    PS That is the flooded engine start procedure for virtually all piston engines. I.E. Throttles forward/mixture cutoff and crank till the engine fires > throttle quickly back and mixtures smoothly forward. 

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  2. Best Answer


    Bill Trussell on Dec 14, 2011

    Aside from any ego damage from the lack of start on the first try (not a criteria in my mind) then only very minor wear to the starter is the result.  The real lesson here is to use the check list!  We have all done it or had students do it so not to worry.

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