Page 1 of 1

Learn to tie your aircraft down properly

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 3:31 pm
by Scudrunner
Always amazes me some of the shitty knots out there, if you can't figure this out buy a Herc Strap.







Re: Learn to tie your aircraft down properly

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 4:59 pm
by Colonel
People these days can't check their tire pressure. How can you
expect them to tie a knot?!

Pro Tip: a small piece of wood - like a cheap trophy backing -
can get used to wedge above the 172 nose gear while you put
pressure in the valve.

Re: Learn to tie your aircraft down properly

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 1:35 am
by Scudrunner
What’s your preferred pressure on the Pitts wheels ? I think mine was at 22 iirc

Re: Learn to tie your aircraft down properly

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 2:51 am
by Colonel
The book for the S-1T says 35 psi, and it's a lot heavier than
the S, which I would probably run 30-32 psi.

I run the B at 35psi. It's really heavy at 1200 lbs empty, and
is quite happy at 45 psi.

The nice thing about these bias ply tires is that you can look
at the profile from the front, and inflate them until the sidewall
bulge is gone. That will be the correct pressure for the weight
they have on them.

Can't do that with a radial tire. Sidewall is too stiff. If it
deforms, you are single digit psi.

Remember Boyle's law, because I don't. I think it's 1 psi for
every 10F degrees.

Re: Learn to tie your aircraft down properly

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 3:30 am
by digits
S1C / S1S is 35psi according to the "book", aka my binder of old yellow paper.

Seems to work ok on fairly rough grass.

Re: Learn to tie your aircraft down properly

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 2:57 pm
by David MacRay
I push on the mains with my knee, then look at the brake pads if there are no wheel pants, I look at the nose wheel (yeah I know) while pulling down on the prop to check the oleo action there, during a walk around.

I have been told, "Yeah, it's ok." After reporting a soft tire. But never mind that.

When did it becomes too difficult to tie down a plane that way?

Years ago, the flying club bought the same type of tie down straps I used to use for my RM-125 decades ago. Which are great until they start slipping. I suspect if someone can't figure out that knot, they also will have no idea when the dirt bike tie downs are slipping.

I think they went even further, they don't seem to tie down between flights at all and then put the entire fleet in the hangar at night.