Most Controversial Mooney Poll (may involve casualties)

[201er]

I expect a lot of bloodshed, this is an extremely controversial topic. I hope our renowned physicist can explain the forces acting on a still propeller at different angles and the harm they might bring.

How do you leave your propeller when parked outside? Why?

[carusoam]

Which ever way it takes to keep birds from being comfortable on it, while not allowing water to settle into the seals.

Now it's indoors, does it matter?

-a-

[John Pleisse]

I say, keep it covered in some way, at least the spinner, hub and blade shims. Some say this isn't smart because covers harbor moisture and promote corrosion.

[triple8s]

Outside?  Two blade horizontal because if it rains moisture is going to pool up in the clamp/seal area of the hub. Why not turn it horizontal so water doesnt even get in? Another reason is the bottom blade is low, a careless ramp person may be able to get into the low blade with a towbar/tug.

[Alan Fox]

Who cares.... I have a prop pastie...

[AmigOne]

In one year my airplane will be parked outside - when it rains - maybe a day per month (and maybe less). If it rains hard I think that the water will get everywhere no matter what the position. So most of the times I'll leave it wherever it stopped.

[kerry]

When your engine stops it stops on the same compression stroke e.g.(cylinder #1 will be at top center each time you shut down).  I randomly pull my propeller through differn't strokes after each shut down to keep wear on the cylinders and rings more even.  Then I leave the prop in a horz position because it looks better.  If you notice my avatar its in the vertical position.  Oh well.

[Jeff_S]

My prop (3-blade) usually stops with the top blade vertical, although sometimes bottom vertical. I always rotate it to top vertical because otherwise the blade gets in the way of the Power Tow I use to push it back into the hangar. Even when I'm parked outside, I usually rotate it top vertical because it seems like this would just shed water better, and maybe be a slightly less- interesting bird perch.

[WardHolbrook]

Propellers are for boats. 

[1964-M20E]

Propellers are for boats. 

OK so what do we call the big fan on the front of the plane?

[aaronk25]

I leave it where ever it stops after ignition key is turned off and have a beer from the hanger fridge.

Aaron

[N201MKTurbo]

If I need to move the airplane the prop goes horizontal so I can use the tow bar. If it is snowing outside I make the prop vertical so the snow melt can run out and not freeze in the spinner. Other then that I don't care. The engine always stops with the prop at 2:00.

[bumper]

I always remove the prop and put it in the plane for safe storage. This keeps the birds from making a mess but is quite bothersome when stopping for a burger. Sometimes I'll get lazy and not do it if I'm only stopping for a couple of hours. My expense for safety wire is horrendous. 

[Joe Zuffoletto]

Top vertical (see my avatar) to keep it out of the way of towing devices.

[gsengle]

Well when I used to have a 2 bladed prop, I'd leave it vertical, so rain/snow would drain out the bottom of the spinner...

 

Now, I have to leave the top blade vertical or I cant use the tow bar...

 

g

[dcrogers11]

When I'm at home, in the hangar, it stays where it stopped.  Usually 10:00/4:00.  I commute to work in my plane and store it in a community hangar with a bunch of "high-wingers" so I rotate it to a horizontal position so that there's no chance of them hitting my prop with a wing.  Hopefully, they're not that close to me, but you never know. 

 

Don

[RJBrown]

2 blade horizontal. Out of the way of the tow bar. No long white stripes from a sitting bird. Now to find a way to keep the birds off the blade antennae on the vertical stab.

With the Rocket I would feather it occasionally to exercise that feature. Sometimes just to see if I got an odd look. That something is different but I can't say what look can be amusing.

[fantom]

Horizontal for my two blader, so I can hit my hard head on it every now and then.

[jlunseth]

I voted horizontal, not because I do anything with the prop, I just leave it where it stops. The FBO that stores it moves it to horizontal so they can tow, and that is where it stays.

[NotarPilot]

I think horizontal just looks nicer.

[sreid]

If I need to move the airplane the prop goes horizontal so I can use the tow bar. If it is snowing outside I make the prop vertical so the snow melt can run out and not freeze in the spinner. Other then that I don't care. The engine always stops with the prop at 2:00.

You must have to vary your takeoff time to account for varying winds.