Tying down the bird

[david whitley]

Hi group
I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for tying
down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.
The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
A link to a picture would be nice.
Dave

[hnelson]

I have always been "knot challenged". For about $15 I got a set of nylon
tiedown straps with vinyl coated hooks from Costco. Set of 4. Two long and
two short. The long ones work great for the wing tiedowns on my 182 short
one for the tail. Worked great during a tropical storm in LaPaz.

Howard

"david whitley" > wrote in message
...
> Hi group
> I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for
tying
> down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.
> The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> A link to a picture would be nice.
> Dave
>
>

[Ron Natalie]

"hnelson" > wrote in message m...
> I have always been "knot challenged". For about $15 I got a set of nylon
> tiedown straps with vinyl coated hooks from Costco. Set of 4. Two long and
> two short. The long ones work great for the wing tiedowns on my 182 short
> one for the tail. Worked great during a tropical storm in LaPaz.
>
Only if they have closed hooks. I had my plane bust loose at Oshkosh the
first year because I used tie downs with open hooks. Just takes some slackening
of the rope to get them to pop out of the eye.

[G.R. Patterson III]

david whitley wrote:
>
> I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for tying
> down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.
> The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.

I usually use a canoe hitch. Before the storm hits, I will head out to the
airport and change the knots to as many half hitches as I have rope for. I may
have to cut them loose later, but I'm not leaving slack in the ropes or using
a knot that might slip and produce slack. Some posters recommend a knot called
a "hurricane hitch", and links to photos have been posted in the past. You might
run a Google search for that.

My usual tiedown ropes are 5/8" nylon. They were sold as boat hawsers and came
with loops braided into the ends. I have run those ends through the tiedown
anchors. This week, I will also be running doubled 1/2" nylon ropes from the
anchors to my wing struts as backups.

If your ropes are polypropylene, I would replace them with nylon. Poly will not
stand up to sunlight very well and deteriorates in only a few years.

George Patterson
A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something that cannot
be learned any other way. Samuel Clemens

[ShawnD2112]

The important thing to remember is to tie it down tight. You don't want any
slack in the ropes at all which the wind can exploit and rock the airplane
around. I typically use a round turn and two half hitches (standard
sailor's knot) and don't leave the extra rope dangling as it can become a
whip in a high wind and damage the airplane. Make sure you tie down the
tail, too - just doing the wings isn't enough.

Good luck!
Shawn
"david whitley" > wrote in message
...
> Hi group
> I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for
tying
> down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.
> The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> A link to a picture would be nice.
> Dave
>
>

[Steve Robertson]

Best tiedowns I've ever used were made of seatbelt webbing with a hook on each
end. Had the seat belt buckle and everything. Tighten just like the one in your
plane. It won't loosen.

Best regards,

Steve Robertson
N4732J 1967 Beechcraft A23-24 Musketeer

david whitley wrote:

> Hi group
> I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for tying
> down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.
> The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> A link to a picture would be nice.
> Dave

[BTIZ]

do not use open hooks especially with high winds..

look at www.aviation-salvage.com/n51Y.htm for results of open hooks letting
go in a 57knt gust front..


"hnelson" > wrote in message
m...
> I have always been "knot challenged". For about $15 I got a set of nylon
> tiedown straps with vinyl coated hooks from Costco. Set of 4. Two long and
> two short. The long ones work great for the wing tiedowns on my 182 short
> one for the tail. Worked great during a tropical storm in LaPaz.
>
> Howard
>
> "david whitley" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi group
> > I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> > knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for
> tying
> > down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this
weekend.
> > The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> > A link to a picture would be nice.
> > Dave
> >
> >
>
>

[Matthew P. Cummings]

On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 14:31:13 +0000, david whitley wrote:

> I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for tying
> down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.

Go to the FAA's site and get a copy of AC 20-35C, it has good info on
tieing down a plane. The best advice being to fly it out of that area,
first.

In my opinion, use ropes and not any sort of hook because many of them are
made of cheap metal and much weaker than the rope attached to it. I don't
like straps since I've seen many that look tough, but have a low breaking
strength. Whatever you use, make sure it can handle at least 3,000 lbs or
find something else.

There are pictures of knots in that circular I posted about. It's worth
the time to get it.

[Carl Ellis]

Go check out www.fepco.com. A "real" bush pilot will tell you how to do
it.

- Carl -


"Matthew P. Cummings" > wrote in message
ray.net...
> On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 14:31:13 +0000, david whitley wrote:
>
> > I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> > knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for
tying
> > down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this
weekend.
>
> Go to the FAA's site and get a copy of AC 20-35C, it has good info on
> tieing down a plane. The best advice being to fly it out of that area,
> first.
>
> In my opinion, use ropes and not any sort of hook because many of them are
> made of cheap metal and much weaker than the rope attached to it. I don't
> like straps since I've seen many that look tough, but have a low breaking
> strength. Whatever you use, make sure it can handle at least 3,000 lbs or
> find something else.
>
> There are pictures of knots in that circular I posted about. It's worth
> the time to get it.
>
>


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[Orval Fairbairn]

In article >,
"david whitley" > wrote:

> Hi group
> I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for tying
> down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.
> The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> A link to a picture would be nice.
> Dave
>
>

Years ago, I read articles on tying down for tropical storms. What I can
remember is:

1. Tie down both the tail AND nosewheel (for tri-gear planes).

2. Stretch a 2x4 spanwise on each wing at the spar to kill lift and
attach it with ropes. (150 kt winds will cause a lot of lift.)

3. Make sure that all control surfaces have gust locks.

[Mike Noel]

If it were my plane, I would fly it out of the storm path. Even if you keep
yours tied down safely, there could be a lot of flying debri in the air,
including other not so well tied down aircraft.

--
Regards,
Mike

"david whitley" > wrote in message
...
> Hi group
> I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for
tying
> down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.
> The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> A link to a picture would be nice.
> Dave
>
>

[John Clonts]

Not Found
The requested URL /n51Y.htm was not found on this server.

So the plane blew away and was never found, eh? :)

Cheers,
John Clonts
Temple, Texas
N7NZ


BTIZ > wrote in message
news:Zrs9b.56831$Qy4.7945@fed1read05...
> do not use open hooks especially with high winds..
>
> look at www.aviation-salvage.com/n51Y.htm for results of open hooks
letting
> go in a 57knt gust front..
>
>
> "hnelson" > wrote in message
> m...
> > I have always been "knot challenged". For about $15 I got a set of nylon
> > tiedown straps with vinyl coated hooks from Costco. Set of 4. Two long
and
> > two short. The long ones work great for the wing tiedowns on my 182
short
> > one for the tail. Worked great during a tropical storm in LaPaz.
> >
> > Howard
> >
> > "david whitley" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Hi group
> > > I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes.
The
> > > knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for
> > tying
> > > down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this
> weekend.
> > > The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> > > A link to a picture would be nice.
> > > Dave
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[roo]

Have you tried a Versatakle?

http://www.geocities.com/roo_two/Versatackle.html

Once you get the loop placement correct, you can leave them in the
line permanently and simply relace it whenever you need to tie down.
It's an easy way to get good line tension.

[No Spam]

> Hi group
> I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for tying
> down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.
> The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> A link to a picture would be nice.
> Dave
>
>

A taut line hitch. Look here on page 3:

(http://www.warrensdirectory.com/almanac/ropes&knots.pdf)

I use the double hitch part two or three times and finish it with a single.

BTW, the canoe hitch mentioned earlier would only serve to get the airplane
off your hands for insurance purposes.


No Spam

[BTIZ]

http://www.aviation-salvage.com/N51Y.htm

must be a capital N thing.. it's still there... did a couple of cart wheels,
thankfully it was away from the tie down line... it could have been ugly...
there was about $1M worth of gliders on that tie down line... when the gust
front hit.. the other $500K where either in trailers or out on course.

BT

"John Clonts" > wrote in message
...
> Not Found
> The requested URL /n51Y.htm was not found on this server.
>
> So the plane blew away and was never found, eh? :)
>
> Cheers,
> John Clonts
> Temple, Texas
> N7NZ
>
>
> BTIZ > wrote in message
> news:Zrs9b.56831$Qy4.7945@fed1read05...
> > do not use open hooks especially with high winds..
> >
> > look at www.aviation-salvage.com/n51Y.htm for results of open hooks
> letting
> > go in a 57knt gust front..
> >
> >
> > "hnelson" > wrote in message
> > m...
> > > I have always been "knot challenged". For about $15 I got a set of
nylon
> > > tiedown straps with vinyl coated hooks from Costco. Set of 4. Two long
> and
> > > two short. The long ones work great for the wing tiedowns on my 182
> short
> > > one for the tail. Worked great during a tropical storm in LaPaz.
> > >
> > > Howard
> > >
> > > "david whitley" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > Hi group
> > > > I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes.
> The
> > > > knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot
for
> > > tying
> > > > down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this
> > weekend.
> > > > The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> > > > A link to a picture would be nice.
> > > > Dave
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[john price]

Buy a copy of F.E. Potts "Guide to Bush Flying", or read the section
on tying down airplanes on-line at:

http://www.fepco.com/BF.images.gentle.breeze.html

John Price
CFII/AGI/IGI
http://home.att.net/~jm.price


"hnelson" > wrote in message
m...
> I have always been "knot challenged". For about $15 I got a set of nylon
> tiedown straps with vinyl coated hooks from Costco. Set of 4. Two long and
> two short. The long ones work great for the wing tiedowns on my 182 short
> one for the tail. Worked great during a tropical storm in LaPaz.
>
> Howard
>
> "david whitley" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi group
> > I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> > knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for
> tying
> > down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this
weekend.
> > The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> > A link to a picture would be nice.
> > Dave
> >
> >
>
>

[Bill]

I have always used a Tautline hitch at the plane end. Allows for adjusting
to keep tight.
http://www.iland.net/~jbritton/tautlinehitch.htm
Has excellent instructions. Any First class boy scout can teach you too.
Any EAGLE scout should never have forgotten.
Bill Eagle Scout 1966,

"david whitley" > wrote in message
...
> Hi group
> I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for
tying
> down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this weekend.
> The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> A link to a picture would be nice.
> Dave
>
>

[Wayne]

Thanks alot for posting that, I had my own favorite but I think I have a
new one. That knot, the clove hitch, the bowline and the highwayman's hitch
are about all would ever need. Now I have to teach my son.

Wayne

> I have always used a Tautline hitch at the plane end. Allows for adjusting
> to keep tight.
> http://www.iland.net/~jbritton/tautlinehitch.htm
> Has excellent instructions. Any First class boy scout can teach you too.
> Any EAGLE scout should never have forgotten.
> Bill Eagle Scout 1966,
>
> "david whitley" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi group
> > I need some basic instruction.... I've been noticing tie down ropes. The
> > knots folks use are all over the map. Is there a basic "best" knot for
> tying
> > down the bird? We're looking at windy weather here in the NE this
weekend.
> > The ropes here on the Vineyard are poly-something.
> > A link to a picture would be nice.
> > Dave
> >
> >
>
>