tail wheel tie down for hand proping

[ROllerton]

There has been some discussion in the past about using snap shackles.


There are several up for sale on ebay, do a search on:
"3 3/4" Stainless Clevis Pin Snap Shackle"

[Len Petterson]

Tailwheel tiedown

Some years ago I seen a design (by Tony Bingelis?) for a tailwheel tiedown realese in EAA's Sportaviation. Made from 3/4 thick aluminium and a spring loaded pin. It is cut in a U shape with the releseing end at 45 deg and the pin closing the U. A long ligth rope in the pin and you pull to realese and you can haul in the tiedown reales and the rope from the cookpit.
You need about 5' * 4' * 3/4" and a 3/8 drillrod (hardend) for the pin. Drill a hole in the lower corner for the rope and loop it to a post what ever you tieing up to. Hmm, My next project?
If I come accross the drawing I will post it.
Happy Tiedowns = No Runaways.
Ps: What do you ski flies do out on the lakes?
Len

[mhorowit]

I would love to see any pictures, or if anyone has a different scheme...

What I'm visualizing in your description is a shackle and pin arrangement with the pin attached to a rope you pull from the cockpit. - Mike

[David Price]

Here is what I use. Aluminium angle (drilled for less weight) with hemp rope braided and whiped with a line that will go under and between the gear and up to the left side for easy release after starting. A slight tug and a little rocking (if needed) of your body helps to release when there is too weight aginst them. Wind rope around angle and deposit in baggage boot.
This I found to be very handy when operating alone, which seems to be most of the time.
Never having to find something to tie the tail to is a great relief.

The angle is 1/4"x2"x8". This gives enough holding power. Both sides drilled for less weight.

I do not know if I be able to load a photo as the program is on the fritz.

Nope just tried. Will post photos soon.

[Homsie]

Len:

Generally speaking, there is enough friction between skiis and snow/ice that you don't need to tie the aircraft down during the start. A lot of times it is a struggle to get going...full throttle and and kicking the rudders to break the grip before you start to move. You can always block the skiis with a thick stick if you had an extremely slippery situation...but I expect that'd be a once in a lifetime happening.

[Homsie]

Len:

Generally speaking, there is enough friction between skiis and snow/ice that you don't need to tie the aircraft down during the start. A lot of times it is a struggle to get going...full throttle and and kicking the rudders to break the grip before you start to move. You can always block the skiis with a thick stick if you had an extremely slippery situation...but I expect that'd be a once in a lifetime happening.

[Len Petterson]

Tail tiedowns

I have drawn a sketch off Tony Bingelis tail hook and I posted it as a jpeg file. I also have it as a cad drawing,with proper measurement. Would you like it E-mail me, and I will send it to you. A Cad program what can read dxf files is needed to read it.
Len Petterson Stay summer is comming

[Ron Greene]

Tail Tiedowns

Found this drawing at the EAA site under Vintage Aircraft division, click on the URL and then select "How not to get run over by your airplane"

http://www.vintageaircraft.org/informational_articles/index.html

[Len Petterson]

Tail wheel tiedown

I finaly made me one from Bingelis Drawings. It works well but I had to splise the rope for smoth transition when I made the loop on the end.I also find it works realy well in the handel at the tail instead of around the tail spring.
I dont know the strength of the handel so I consider it emergency use only!
Does any one know how strong it is?
Len Petterson

[Rich. Anderson]

I fabricated from 1/16 4130 a release similar to a glider tow release that fit on the tail wheel swivel bolt top. A thin wire linside the fuselage to the cabin allowed easy release when pulled. I will take a picture if someone desires one.

[Rich. Anderson]

I fabricated from 1/16 4130 a release similar to a glider tow release that fit on the tail wheel swivel bolt top. A thin wire linside the fuselage to the cabin allowed easy release when pulled. I will take a picture if someone desires one.

[alwaysoar]

Tailwheel tiedown

That seems pretty cool, but why not just tie one end of a long yellow rope to the left strut right next to the fuselage where you can reach it from the cockpit, run the rope around a tree or something, and then tie the other end of the rope to the other strut right next to the fuselage on the othe side. Pull the plane forward to take out the slack, prop it, climb in, reach out and pull in the rope, and go?

[paulp]

brake?

Howdy Tribe:

How about installing a parking brake? Somewhere in the mists of time(i.e. before to-day) I seem to recall seeing something about a parking brake for the BC12-D model.

Thoughts anyone?

[Len Petterson]

Tail wheel tie down

Parking brakes in all honers.
Car's ( canadian air regulation) say: when hand proping the air craft it has to have a competent person at the controls or be secured to prevrented it from moving.
Yes my T- craft has a parking brake.
1.It will hold the aircraft to a 700 - 800 rpm powersetting.
NO more.
2.It's realise is of such design what it is easy to reales accedently.
Hense the need for a tiedownprope.
It is happening what Cubs and T-craft's takes off WITHOUT the pilot. The aircraft get to airport fence or a littel beyond, before the gyroscopic effect turns them on thereside and in they go!
As we fly by grace for God and our Wifes, Grace tends become short supply after incidents like what. Not mentioning the insurance compay!
Len
Keep tieing, keep keep flying!

[paulp]

parking brake

Len,

FAR's here say much the same-A compotent pilot must be at the controls when hand proping an airplane. I am suprised that your parking brake will only hold the acft at 7-8 hundred RPMs. My heel brakes will hold my 100hp Cont up to 17-18 hundred. It takes a lot of pressure and it wants to creep, but it holds! How is your parking brake set up? I have a small piece of 1/2 4130 tube welded below my dash on the left that an old Taylorcraft man said was for the parking brake but I can't see how it was set up.

Any advise? Thanks Much