An old bush pilot told me they used really long wing tie downs to a
single point and left the tail untied in high winds in Alaska. This
allowed the aircraft to lift off and weathervane in high winds. The
aircraft were staked out far enough apart that they wouldn't collide
with each other. I'd be interested to know if anyone's actually
witnessed that method. A Cozy owner told me that by retracting the
nosegear of a Cozy or Long EZ, it could withstand 60 knot winds without
being tied down. I don't know how much truth there is to that one,
either, but there obviously aren't very many airplanes that CAN'T
withstand 100mph+ winds.

Icebound wrote:
Does anybody know of any wind-tunnel tests for analysis of tie-down
behaviour? I tried a google search without much success.

Having seen the Charley pictures from Orlando Executive and Punta Gorda, I'm
wondering if we are doing the right thing.

The standard for tricycle gear GA planes seems to be wings and tail.

Having been to my own airport, I can see that most of the tail ropes are
usually the rattiest you can find.
Besides, ev
--
John Kimmel


I think it will be quiet around here now. So long.