This thread has pretty much run out, but I thought I would state that, if you
must tie down outside and expect high winds, four tiedown points on the wings
(in addition to tow hook and tail) are better than two, and if the only inboard
location on the wing happens to be inside the spoiler box, use what you got. I
use this location on my ship when tying down overnight on wave days (it's
easier to tie down than derig in 20+kts wind!), but know that I must vacuum the
sand and gravel out of the bottom of the spoiler box in the morning. It's
amazing how large of a grit size the wind will make fly two or more feet off
the ground, especially considering it comes from beyond the edge of our paved
ramp 300 feet away where the dirt ends. The spoilers are only held open less
than 1/4 inch with my setup, which consists of a large metal hook that goes
around the chordwise pivot in the spoiler box, then a 2" wide strap to get over
the LE of the wing, then rope attached to the strap for ease of knot tying.
The spoiler cap closes on the strap and traps the hook in place even if the
rope becomes loose.
As an aside, if there is an insurance claim for wind related ground damage, the
insurance company will only want to know if the aircraft was "tied down" and
what it was tied down to, they are not likely to deny the claim if you used
three ropes where five was needed. But you might be unpopular with the owners
of the other aircraft that yours flipped over on top of!
Ropes with non-slip knots, tied up tight against the rings or cables at both
ends, beat ratchet or cam-lock straps for simplicity and durability, and if
they do loosen in the wind, there is no hardware to flap around and trash your
gelcoat or paint.
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Mark Navarre
ASW-20 OD
California, USA
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