Tie-Down Tail strike

[JJ Campbell]

I hope the photo is still viewable. I had to shrink it like crazy to stop getting the file to large error.

Someone at the airport just sent me the attached photo. Apparently the wind caused a tail strike. I'm not sure how the chocks got so out of place. I know I had them tight against the wheel.

I was thinking of getting a used aircraft tire and putting it under the tail. But since the tail comes no where near the rear anchor point, I'll have to put it forward of that and have it free standing and I am not at all sure how effective that will be. Also, even a little weathervaning and the tail will completely miss the tire. If the chocks hold that should stop that?

Someone suggested a storage box. That might work better but how much weight will I need to put in it to keep the wind from blowing it away?

Suggestions, are cordially invited!

[3Dreaming]

Aside from the tail strike I see the stabilator is tied in the nose up position. There is a good chance that if it was neutral or forward this would not have happened.

[JJ Campbell]

Aside from the tail strike I see the stabilator is tied in the nose up position. There is a good chance that if it was neutral or forward this would not have happened.

I put a hook on the end of a dowel and cut the dowel to a length that I thought had the stabilator level. It looks like I have some adjusting to do. I might shoot for a bit forward this time. Thank you.

[Type47]

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... ollock.php
I have this in my p92.
Easy install, minimal mods and it keeps the controls neutral.

[nub_pilot]

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... ollock.php
I have this in my p92.
Easy install, minimal mods and it keeps the controls neutral.

I think that a lot and curious if that would fit in a Pipistrel Alpha. any special installation required?

thanks
Jeremy

[Type47]

If the panel bottom is metal, two 3/16 inch holes.
Took me 10 minutes.
Pops on and off in 1/2 second.

[JJ Campbell]

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... ollock.php
I have this in my p92.
Easy install, minimal mods and it keeps the controls neutral.

I looked at that a few months ago. My panel is thin plastic and many switches very close to where you would have to drill. Mechanic said no to it. Also, it would need an LOA which, considering the flimsiness, I doubt Tecnam would approve.

[ShawnM]

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... ollock.php
I have this in my p92.
Easy install, minimal mods and it keeps the controls neutral.

I have the same one in my SportCruiser and love it. Very easy and quick to install/remove and stores nicely in my center console. Super easy to install but you need a return lip on the bottom of the panel that is solid/firm plastic or aluminum.

[nub_pilot]

I think the bottom of mine is either plastic or carbon. I do have some mounting screws to hold the front of the bottom panel on, wonder if I could remove those for those attachment points. I'm an S-LSA and would I need an LOA for this? Could I some velcro through some PVC pipe work also so its not a permanent type install?

What are the arm lengths, I think I would only need about 9" for neutral position. is neutral the preferred position or would full dive be in a tricycle gear plane?

The Pipistrel Alpha has a VERY light tail and only take about 10lbs of pressure to push it down and I worry that a light breeze in the wrong direction could drop it down and hit the tail strike plate. would placing am old main tire over the tie down strap help?

Thanks for any assistance. New plane owner (1 week) and trying to keep Sally safe while being tied outside (hangers are SOOOO expensive)
Jeremy

[FastEddieB]

In my Sky Arrow, the tail pushes down pretty easily, and stays there - handy for preflight of the T-tail.

As such, I tend to tie down “backwards”, securing the wings and the nose. I have no tiedown rings anywhere, so I use motorcycle “Soft Ties” around the wing struts and nose. This should give the idea:



Sky Arrow offers a tail support, mine did not come with one.



Just a thought, and maybe another option.

[nub_pilot]

That tail stand is a great idea, I would probably make a stand and shape the seat to fit the curve and cover it in carpet or a garden kneeling pad. I would tie it down super tight, but just snug it up. I would make sure it had a wide enough base to prevent tipping over easily.

thinking about the plan could be using a 2'x2' piece of plywood and a 4"x4" stand dished out to the contour of the plane. Use a soft strap to go around the plane just forward of the vertical stabilizer. So many different idea are running through my mind right now.

Thanks for the send idea that the Sky Arrow offers.

[drseti]

I'm an S-LSA and would I need an LOA for this?

Any modification that involves drilling holes or adding screws would definitely require an LoA.

Could I some velcro through some PVC pipe work also so its not a permanent type install?

Yes. And that would obviate the need for an LoA!

would placing an old main tire over the tie down strap help?

It probably would (and would also not require an LoA!)

[Warmi]

... I'm an S-LSA and would I need an LOA for this? Could I some velcro through some PVC pipe work also so its not a permanent type install?
....

I suggest to use your common sense ... you paid tens of thousands of dollars for that plane, you are flying it .. who is more invested in your safety than you ?

I have enough sense not to mess with anything I don’t understand but drilling a tiny hole in panel to install something simple like that ... I certainly would not to spend months and hundreds of dollars on a LOA for something as trivial as that.

[Scooper]

I have a small camera tripod that has telescoping legs. It's small, light, and substantially built. I wonder if it or something similar Velcroed to the tailskid would be more stable than a single stick-like stand.

[Type47]

... I'm an S-LSA and would I need an LOA for this? Could I some velcro through some PVC pipe work also so its not a permanent type install?
....

I suggest to use your common sense ... you paid tens of thousands of dollars for that plane, you are flying it .. who is more invested in your safety than you ?

I have enough sense not to mess with anything I don’t understand but drilling a tiny hole in panel to install something simple like that ... I certainly would not to spend months and hundreds of dollars on a LOA for something as trivial as that.

Yes. The Loa rules. Keeping you unsafe for your safety.