Torn from Tie-downs

[stormman]

Re: Torn from Tie-downs

I was told after the wind tore mine up to leave enough slack in the tail wheel rope and the trim in the down position so it would lift the tail and fly in the wind . If the tail is tied down tight it whats to lift off and bend the struts . Not sure about this , But i read in Alaska about a plane that survived a wind storm just chocked and down trimed when all the others around it was damaged becaused they were tied downed tight. Maybe Dick Smith remembers this .
Btw NJL , I loved Moab
Someone in the tribe had a great set of plans for wing spoilers a few years back . It was after the fact for me though , But I have been told they work. Anyone know this for a fact?

[marc]

Re: Torn from Tie-downs

howdy all,i use climbing rope.i had my dad 182 tied down with the climbing and the 140 next to us used chains. when the wind hit we surve but the 140 lost. allways use a rope with a high load weight.marc n43643

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Torn from Tie-downs

In nautical terms -- chains are used for anchor, more dead-lift authority. Ropes up to 6inches in width are used for securing them to aircraft carries to the dock. The best ropes, as they must be rated for insurance purposes, are 3/8th to 1 inch, two to five ton rated braided nylon from West Marine(on the internet). I've seen an aero commander (mine) go through 2 hurricanes outdoors (winds 90-110MPH some higher gusts) using these ropes. These are just elastic enough, won't mess up paint/finish, nearly any good knot will do, salt-water resistant, not too heavy to put in the boot of a T-craft, last forever, and are worth the money. 3-10ft ropes (nautical term "lines") $50.00 and damn good insurance. SEE BELOW. In big winds lash the gear legs too. With regards; ED OBRIEN

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&classNum=500&subdeptNum=499&storeNum=800&productId=221460

[DannyDot]

Re: Torn from Tie-downs

snip
3-10ft ropes (nautical term "lines") $50.00 and damn good insurance. SEE BELOW. In big winds lash the gear legs too. With regards; ED OBRIEN
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...oductId=221460

Thanks for putting the correct term "lines" in. As a sailor, the only rope I will ever have on board will be as cargo in the hold. The minute a rope is used on the boat, it magically becomes a line :-)

Danny Deger

[crispy critter]

Re: Torn from Tie-downs

I was told after the wind tore mine up to leave enough slack in the tail wheel rope and the trim in the down position so it would lift the tail and fly in the wind . If the tail is tied down tight it whats to lift off and bend the struts . Not sure about this , But i read in Alaska about a plane that survived a wind storm just chocked and down trimed when all the others around it was damaged becaused they were tied downed tight. Maybe Dick Smith remembers this .
Btw NJL , I loved Moab
Someone in the tribe had a great set of plans for wing spoilers a few years back . It was after the fact for me though , But I have been told they work. Anyone know this for a fact?

Norm,
You can get lucky like that sometimes in strong steady winds but NOT in hard fast hitting gusty winds. The slacked rope at the tailwheel or any point will break if jerk on but not usually if tied tight.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Torn from Tie-downs

Taylorcraft if properly tied should make it through anything but a tornado.
Of course, other planes and objects not properly tied down might hit you going 100 mph. That'll leave a mark. BUT, if it'll fly upto a never exceed speed of 140mph... it should hold together in wind. One more thing -- Point it into the expected blow. All planes are built to have the most resistance to wind forces on the nose. Double belt the sticks/yoke, roll the trim all the way forward/down, keep your insurance provider's number handy, and hope for the best. In this case I wouldn't chock the tires -- chocks can become airborne and ruin your hard work.
With regards;

ED OBRIEN

[Karl Rigdon]

Re: Torn from Tie-downs

For those that would like to see slack in the tie downs simply hand them a hammer and a nail.Then have them put the nail on a piece wood then place the hammer head on the nail. Then tell them push the nail into the wood.
Nuf said.

[crispy critter]

Re: Torn from Tie-downs

For those that would like to see slack in the tie downs simply hand them a hammer and a nail.Then have them put the nail on a piece wood then place the hammer head on the nail. Then tell them push the nail into the wood.
Nuf said.

Very well said Karl.

[Ron Coleman]

Re: Torn from Tie-downs

Many years ago there were tie down pads made in the form of a "T" of steel. They rotated like a wind "T" and had a pedestal to level the tail. The planes were tied down tail high and could survive red line speed winds. They were expensive, a grounds keeping nightmare, and didn't work as well in the winter. They also used a lot of space and it was not easy to get the planes onto them. They also didn't stop wind blown junk from wrecking the plane.

RonC
N96995