Starting twins
Starting twins is an art in itself. Now, starting 4 strokes is even harder - starting one engine within one minute from the time you signal the judge still catches the best of us out. So, why am I asking for trouble flying a twin? Because I can, and I like a challenge - this is how I went about it first.
The way I would start both engines is I would have a starter pack with two leads and a switch to switch from outboard to inboard. I would connect both leads to both engines and get a knock from one, then switch to the other and get a knock from that, return to the first engine - the inboard - and give my signal to the judge and get a first flick start. Then I would switch quickly to the outboard engine and flick like mad. Nothing!!! WHY!!! So I would again prime the outboard engine. Meanwhile the inboard is still running. Eventually it would go; by now it was well into the minute allowed for the take off. I would run to the handle and take off, do the full pattern with no problems, but the inboard engine would cut early or the outboard would overrun. Over a period of 2 years I tried everything until starters were allowed - then it got better.
Enter left Bill Draper. Whilst talking to him about the problem he came up with the solution that was so simple, and me being a mechanic I deserve to be kicked hard ….he suggested that the prime (as the engine are inverted and they have valves) is running out of the engine or being vibrated out by the other engine. He suggested, get a knock from one engine and turn it to “top dead centre “compression, meaning both valves are shut, then start the other one and return to the first. The prime should be still there. Guess what? It worked!! The proof was at Clipston this year - 4 flights and 8 first flick starts.
When at Barton this year I flew in f2b, and a very experienced flyer came up to me and said, “I take my hat off to you. To get one started in a minute is ok but 2 and get through the pattern and have both cut together with no cut-offs takes some doing.”
What’s next? My new “tribute” twin is undergoing tests and proving ok, but due to bad weather hangs in my workshop gathering dust. Once this is proven to be the perfect size and weight etc the next ship will have retracts.
You say, "A twin AND retracts!! Mad!!" Yes, very, but I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t!