New topic for Middletown. Tie downs!

[joea]

Hey Brian and others, what do you recommend for tie-downs at Middletown.

For those who this will be their first time there, its a massive grass field where we are parking. No fixed tie downs, and you need to bring your own.

I have the old fashioned screw in type, and three flavors of them. One is long, about 2.5 feet long and a long screw at the very bottom. Then a shorter version of the same, maybe a foot or 15 inches long, then some chrome do-dads that are like a worm and squiggly all the way down and about 20 inches long.

Any of these any good or should I be looking elsewhere and fast!

Thx,

Joe A

[MikeB]

Joe,
You're probably going to get all kinds of opinions on this. I owned a set like you described when I had my Cherokee (still have them somewhere, I think). I guess they're OK for solid soil but were less than ideal for sandy type. Anyway, someone recommended the "Fly Tie" ones with three rods driven at different angles at each point. Wag Aero sells them for about $90 . I've never been in a situation where I needed a good tie down due to storms and high winds so I can't say one is better than the other, but I'd suspect the 'three rod' set up is better. I bought those a couple of years ago when I flew to Oshkosh.

Right now looks like I won't make the convention but still hoping.......

Mike

[joea]

Mike,

Thanks and had seen that type before. Duane Jones says he has some good ones that he could bring there for me.

As for not coming, get in the car and drive! Its not that far!

Joe A

[Roger Anderson]

hey Joe. I went with "keep it simple" and used an EAA recommendation of a few years ago. Mine are just rebar stakes, I think 1/2 inch, and 18 inches long....maybe. I sharpened one end and drilled near the top to put a big washer restricter with a industrial cotter pin keeping it from sliding off. That insures the rope won't slide off the top end. I carry those with nylon rope atttached and a 5 lb hammer in a small sack in the baggage area. I keep it with me all the time in case of ever an off airport landing. Probably not the very best tiedowns, but pretty strong though. And cheap. roger

[bwmatz]

Joe,

Read this: http://www.airventure.org/planning/tying_down.html

I recommend the three spike per tie-down system the EAA recommends.