Paul Eastham
Well Known Member
Landed at a fairly remote airport with winds 25G35 and forecast to increase. Get to the tiedowns and can't get the chains to fit through my (stock Van's) tie-down rings -- the opening is too small. Also can't hook the ends of the chains on -- the ring is too thick.
In retrospect, this is nowhere near the first time this has happened to me, just the first time where it really seemed to matter as I was actively worried about the airplane blowing away. I did have some chocks with me which saved the day, though not in a way that made be feel really comfortable.
I see some other rings on Amazon but the opening all seems to be about the same size (1"), and the cleaveland "ring" has an even smaller opening, though I can't tell that ring's "thickness" - i.e. can it accommodate a hook with a small opening.
Surely I am not the only one with this problem? The other solution i am considering is to carry my own tie-down ropes/straps that do fit.
In retrospect, this is nowhere near the first time this has happened to me, just the first time where it really seemed to matter as I was actively worried about the airplane blowing away. I did have some chocks with me which saved the day, though not in a way that made be feel really comfortable.
I see some other rings on Amazon but the opening all seems to be about the same size (1"), and the cleaveland "ring" has an even smaller opening, though I can't tell that ring's "thickness" - i.e. can it accommodate a hook with a small opening.
Surely I am not the only one with this problem? The other solution i am considering is to carry my own tie-down ropes/straps that do fit.