The mixture control should be in the mixture shutoff position. Engage the emergency brake. If a pilot is available, place him or her in the front seat for added safety to shut down the aircraft if it inadvertently starts. Make sure you have been taught the proper way to evacuate the propeller area from an inadvertent start. Your survival rate is minimal without proper training, especially when you re not prepared for the propeller to start spinning.
Older pilots seem to be well aware, from experience, of the dangers surrounding propellers.
But we newer pilots, taught by new instructors, may not be fully aware of the threat. If this information reaches just one pilot and saves his life, I am thankful. Meanwhile, happy flying and be proud of the fact that we are still part of the most well organized aviation community in the world, and we shall stay that way if we continue to communicate. Paul D. Adler is an aircraft owner and pilot based at Martha's Vineyard. This article originally appeared in the Boston FSDO Communicator.