VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Main > Reviews
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #11  
Old 08-31-2012, 07:13 AM
Ironflight's Avatar
Ironflight Ironflight is offline
VAF Moderator / Line Boy
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Scotsman View Post
ETA: On a side note, assuming one used their own ropes, and I'm sure to open a religious war here, what's the best method for tying down to a hard point? I.e., what combination of knots on which point (plane and hard point) do you use?

In my experience, people just seem to tie random knots until they think the rope is "tight" and TLAR, but there must be at least a couple of recommended methods for tying down, no?
"Random Knots..." - see, this is what happens when parents emphasize Soccer over Scouting....no one knows how to tie good knots anymore!

A bowline gives a good solid connection to a hardpoint on the ground, and I am a fan of the taught line hitch (which is a variation on the classic half hitch) coming down the standing part of the rope after looping through the aircraft attachment point.

Paul
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com

Last edited by Ironflight : 08-31-2012 at 09:17 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-31-2012, 08:34 AM
RVFlyer RVFlyer is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 103
Default Knots

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Scotsman View Post
In my experience, people just seem to tie random knots until they think the rope is "tight" and TLAR, but there must be at least a couple of recommended methods for tying down, no?
As my father-in-law says...."Don't know a knot? Tie a lot." He was a very active cave diver so he knows plenty of knots. I've enjoyed learning some of them from him.

Actually, as an airport manager, I've seen plenty of different knots to tie down planes. While some wouldn't hold very long in a Kansas thunderstorm, some are just amazing. I've spent more time than I care to admit, out on the ramp, trying to reverse engineer a few of them.
__________________
Tom Chandler,
AOPA Regional Manager - Central Southwest
RV-4 bought it, sold it, bought it back, storm totaled it
ATP, CFII
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-31-2012, 08:46 AM
SilverEagle2's Avatar
SilverEagle2 SilverEagle2 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: West Jordan, Utah
Posts: 228
Default

Nice report Paul and Louise.

You should polish them though

__________________
Jason Hess
N777JH - Reserved
RV-7 - Builders Log Tail complete, wings nearly done, starting fuselage!
RV Factory - Complete sans floor coating, Slideshow Here

Quote:
People are not excellent because they achieve great things; they achieve great things because they choose to be excellent.
Gerald G. Probst, Beloved Grandfather, WWII B-24 Pilot, Successful Businessman

Last edited by SilverEagle2 : 08-31-2012 at 08:48 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-31-2012, 11:03 AM
scsmith scsmith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ashland, OR
Posts: 2,574
Default carabiners?

I bought these, and spent an hour at REI, and could not find a 'biner that fit, except for a small aluminum one.

I am worried that the little aluminum carabiners, which are made for clipping gear to your harness, not for clipping yourself to a rope, are not strong enough for tie-downs.

So, for now, these pretty tie-downs are sitting in my tool box.

Also, the holes in the tiedown "ring" remove so much metal that the tiedown itself is not as strong as I think it should be. The web site says they yield at 1500 lbs. That's probably good enough.

If I could find some small stainless steel carabiners that fit, I guess I would try them again.
__________________
Steve Smith
Aeronautical Engineer
RV-8 N825RV
IO-360 A1A
WW 200RV
"The Magic Carpet"
Hobbs 625
LS6-15/18W sailplane SOLD
bought my old LS6-A back!!
VAF donation Jan 2020
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-31-2012, 04:08 PM
Greg Arehart's Avatar
Greg Arehart Greg Arehart is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
Default

Here's a photo of one that I made a few years ago (they're painted now):



Good for a half-knot or so over the round rings if you plug the hole when flying!

Greg
__________________
Greg Arehart
RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
N 7965A
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 08-31-2012, 04:21 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
Default

You'll need those 'biners, though. The sharp edges will reduce rope strength if you tie them directly.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 08-31-2012, 05:24 PM
Mark Albery's Avatar
Mark Albery Mark Albery is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Warwickshire UK
Posts: 703
Default

There is an alternative to the caribiner. From my local Lowes':
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 08-31-2012, 06:11 PM
scsmith scsmith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ashland, OR
Posts: 2,574
Default yes, although kind of fussy

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Albery View Post
There is an alternative to the caribiner. From my local Lowes':
Yes, that is a very good solution, I use shackles like that on the halyards on my sailboat. But it is a bit fussy to have to put those on first, then tie the rope through it. 'Biners are so quick - just wish they made one small enough that was strong enough.

They do make shackles with a spring-loaded 1/4-turn latching pin, but they also are not strong enough.
__________________
Steve Smith
Aeronautical Engineer
RV-8 N825RV
IO-360 A1A
WW 200RV
"The Magic Carpet"
Hobbs 625
LS6-15/18W sailplane SOLD
bought my old LS6-A back!!
VAF donation Jan 2020
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 08-31-2012, 06:47 PM
N941WR's Avatar
N941WR N941WR is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
Default Just remember...

If you are leaving the tie-down rings in the plane, depending on what they are made of they may react with the aluminum bracket they are screwed into.

I have seen one RV-10 that has left the ?stock? tie-down rings in place and the corrosion is evident and the plane isn?t that old.

That is the one reason I always remove my rings.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 08-31-2012, 09:06 PM
Chino Tom's Avatar
Chino Tom Chino Tom is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chino, CA
Posts: 738
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight View Post
"Random Knots..." - see, this is what happens when parents emphasize Soccer over Scouting....no one knows how to tie good knots anymore!

Paul
There's an app for that (Grog Knots). I never can remember knots. Also
The biner was a great idea. Spent some time in REI myself recently.
__________________
Tom Prokop
Chino, CA
RV-8A,180/CS/Carb, AFS 4500 EFIS/EMS
RV-6, sold, 820 hrs of fun.
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:33 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.