| Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 671 Likes: 11 Member/500+posts | Member/500+posts Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 671 Likes: 11 | I don't have much experience at tying down my 150 outside let alone tying it down in high winds. I may have to tie it down outside for a few days and the winds may be as high as 40 MPH. I need some tips on proper knots and what would be the maximum acceptable wind speed?
Last edited by Dalton; 06/22/17 01:05 AM.
C150M
6S2
| | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 25,391 Likes: 990 Member/25,000 posts | Member/25,000 posts Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 25,391 Likes: 990 | Because I had a hangar, the only times I had to tie down my plane were when I went on long trips and to Clinton. I used tie down straps with hooks LIKE THESE [ harborfreight.com] . For the ground, I had homemade anchors similar to THESE [ walmart.com] that Wayne Westerman gave to me. Whatever you use, make sure the straps/ropes are taut, so the plane can't move with the wind gusts and yanking on the tiedown rings, putting extra stress on the wings and tail. | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,619 Member/1500+posts | Member/1500+posts Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,619 | Maximum wind speed is limited only by the strength of your tie downs. My plane went through a hurricane outside. I doubled up on the tie downs just before the storm which were attached to chains anchored in the ground. It survived with no problem.
Bruce Bennett Visited | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 15,869 Likes: 977 Member/15,000 posts | Member/15,000 posts Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 15,869 Likes: 977 | My plane has been tied down since I bought it 20 some years ago. This Youtube Video [ youtube.com] shows the method I use. I have never had any trouble using this method and it has withstood all kinds of winds here in the north east.
Ron Stewart N5282B KSFZ | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 5,184 Likes: 248 Member/5000+posts! | Member/5000+posts! Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 5,184 Likes: 248 | You use a locking double half hitch. Google EAA video tying down plane for instructional video. I carry my own tie downs when I fly cross county. You would not believe the sad condition of the ropes you find at some airports. Don't forget to chock the wheel and a good rudder lock
Before I got into a hanger my plane set outside thru several hurricanes. Winds in excess of 80 mph. Before the big winds hit, I took 1/4" cable and a couple of wire rope clips and used them to tie down plane. Not for everyday tie down but good for a big winds.
Good wife, good friends & a Cessna 150. Life is good. Terry Monday 1976 C150M N9463U Greenville, NC
| | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 15,869 Likes: 977 Member/15,000 posts | Member/15,000 posts Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 15,869 Likes: 977 | you can always buy a set of Slide Downs [ slidedown.com] and don't worry about knots. These work great and are what I take with me when on long x-country flights. They are also a sponsor of the Fly-In.
Ron Stewart N5282B KSFZ | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 11,390 Likes: 923 Member/10,000+ posts! | Member/10,000+ posts! Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 11,390 Likes: 923 | Dalton, Best knot is a taut-line hitch. http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/tautline-hitchThere should be absolutely no slack in the ropes and that knot will slide completely tight and will not slip. It's easy to tie with a bit of practice (similar to two half hitches). Don't have a maximum wind speed, but tie downs should hold at 40 MPH. If you have to deal with a tail wind, cock the nosewheel to one side when you park the airplane. That will deflect the rudder to the stop and helps keep it from banging back and forth if you don't have an external gust lock for the rudder. Warmest regards, Rick | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,091 Likes: 3 Member/1000+posts | Member/1000+posts Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,091 Likes: 3 | My plane has been tied down since I bought it 20 some years ago. This Youtube Video [ youtube.com] shows the method I use. I have never had any trouble using this method and it has withstood all kinds of winds here in the north east. I use the same. Easy to tie and release, yet holds great. It holds tighter as the tension increases. I use the chocks I made for he ice runway at Alton Bay. Two pieces of 2x4, connected by a piece of rope, with 6 wood screws sticking 1/8" through the bottom of each 2x4. Turns out they work great on asphalt and don't walk as the plane rocks.
Wayne Keystone Flight
| | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 14,783 Likes: 544 Member/10,000+ posts! | Member/10,000+ posts! Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 14,783 Likes: 544 | My plane has been tied down since I bought it 20 some years ago. This Youtube Video [ youtube.com] shows the method I use. I have never had any trouble using this method and it has withstood all kinds of winds here in the north east. +1
-Kirk Wennerstrom President, Cessna 150-152 Fly-In Foundation 1976 Cessna Cardinal RG N7556V Hangar D1, Bridgeport, CT KBDR
| | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 25,391 Likes: 990 Member/25,000 posts | Member/25,000 posts Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 25,391 Likes: 990 | Another thing is that the ropes for the wings should pull the plane forward and to the sides. It might sound obvious, but I have seen planes that were parked past the tie-down anchors for the wings, and the ropes later pulled the plane backward along with the tail rope. | | |
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