1. Please continue to teach students (and renters) that if the engine is warm, it doesn’t need to be primed; if it’s cold, then 2 primes should do.
2. Lately I’ve heard some of our solo or just-past-private students cranking the engines for an awfully long time without the engine firing. Try to teach students that if the engine doesn’t start after 4 or 5 revolutions (or less), then it likely needs more or less prime (see #1 above).
3. DTA: doesn’t start great, but the other morning I primed it twice and it fired up almost right away. The problem seems to be then that it will start to die out. Keep the primer unlocked and give it a little bit (maybe 1/4) of extra prime as it’s dying. It will keep running.
4. Idling at high RPM: again we’ve been noticing (as we’re working in the shop and listening to what’s going on outside) that a lot of people are starting up and idling at high RPM’s, then reducing power to start taxiing. I think that seems a little backwards. Idle at 1000. (except DTA - 1200 keeps it running better when it’s cold).