How do you park?

J

JoeFromKS

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
157
Display Name
JoeFromKS
So now that I'm officially a pilot I'd like to go places, eat hamburgers, and maybe some over-nighters. So my question is: what is your routine for arriving at a new airport as far as finding a place to park and getting tied down? Do you bring your own tie downs or hope they are provided? As a typical example let's say at Stearman field (1K1).
 
Call ahead to the FBO and ask about availability, protocol, etc.
 
I always have ropes with me because the tiedowns for the Navion are placed such that many provided ropes aren't long enough. What I do depends on where and how long.
If there's activity on the field I might ask the Unicom where I should park. Otherwise I just put it in what appears to be a vacant space. Unless it's really stiffly blowing, and I'm not going far, I just leave the Navion without tying it down.

If I'm going places where I anticipate not being able to find a space (flyins etc...) I bring the tiedown kit and find some piece of innocuous grass and tie down.
 
I fly with chocks.
I think I fall into the "hope tiedowns are provided" category

So far that has been the case.
 
If there are planes already parked, I go there. If I can't locate a suitable parking area, I will call the FBO on the radio and ask. If no one answers, I look for a tie down area.

If all else fails, just try to park where you won't be in the way.

Bringing your own tiedowns will ensure you will be able to tie down.

Going to new airports is part of the fun of flying.
 
Thanks for the replies! Looks like I need to add at least chocks to my flight bag. I definitely do not trust the parking brakes in a rental.
I didn't even think of Unicom, but I guess that is exactly what it is for.
 
Park where the other planes are. If in doubt, ask around. Definitely bring your own ropes.
 
Usually I will look at reviews on AirNav or comments on ForeFlight for parking info. If no luck, I'll look it up on google maps and see where the "T"s are. Last resort I just go and park next to another airplane or where I don't think I will be in the way. I'm a "hope they have tie-downs" I don't usually stay overnight so I'm not too worried about it.
 
Teransient parking is often labeled around here. If it isn't, I usually find a spot near the pumps, because that is normally where mostly fields put transient.
 
JoeFromKS said:
So now that I'm officially a pilot I'd like to go places, eat hamburgers, and maybe some over-nighters. So my question is: what is your routine for arriving at a new airport as far as finding a place to park and getting tied down? Do you bring your own tie downs or hope they are provided? As a typical example let's say at Stearman field (1K1).
Click to expand...

There are a lot of really weathered tie-downs out there. I have some I bring with me and use them in place of what is laying around the ramp at the airport 60% of the time or more. I doubt some of the stuff out there would withstand a hundred pounds of load.
 
Zeldman said:
If there are planes already parked, I go there. If I can't locate a suitable parking area, I will call the FBO on the radio and ask. If no one answers, I look for a tie down area.

If all else fails, just try to park where you won't be in the way.

Bringing your own tiedowns will ensure you will be able to tie down.

Going to new airports is part of the fun of flying.
Click to expand...

Yup, that

Also use nice three strand line and learn to tie a bowline.
 
JoeFromKS said:
Thanks for the replies! Looks like I need to add at least chocks to my flight bag. I definitely do not trust the parking brakes in a rental.
I didn't even think of Unicom, but I guess that is exactly what it is for.
Click to expand...


brakes?!? :hairraise:
 
I carry my own tie-down straps unless I'm certain my destination has good ropes/chains. I carry my own chocks as well. I never leave the parking brake set (I only use it when temporarily parked on a sloped ramp, just long enough to get the chocks in place). You never now why your plane might need to be moved while you're away, and setting the brake is asking for trouble.
 
I never use my parking brakes when leaving plane unattended. I find when I leave plane overnight 90% of the time they move it. Either to face into wind or to put inside out of weather. Plus when I go into a airport they have someone parking me close to the office. Sometimes they even bring out a red carpet!
 
I always carry a set of tiedown ropes for the places with anchors but no ropes, also a set of those big ($$$) rubber chocks for the places that don't even have anchors.
 
add this to "things CFIs should teach" ... along with "let's find and demo a few different self-serve fuel pumps"
 
Depends, if it's a lunch stop, I just park where indicated, shut them down and chock it. If I'm overnight I usually had the 310 hangared, but sometimes I tied it down. If there is nothing on the ramp with which to tie down, (extremely rare) I always have something in the back of the plane. I NEVER set my brakes in case someone has to move the plane.
 
gkainz said:
add this to "things CFIs should teach" ... along with "let's find and demo a few different self-serve fuel pumps"
Click to expand...

Amen! It seems like some of the most basic things are not taught...this would fall into the "real world usability" category :). I just recently bought a plane, and had to have the line boy teach me the self-serve pumps...kind of embarrassing. Prior to owning, the rental was always magically ready to fly :)
 
twiggles said:
Amen! It seems like some of the most basic things are not taught...this would fall into the "real world usability" category :). I just recently bought a plane, and had to have the line boy teach me the self-serve pumps...kind of embarrassing. Prior to owning, the rental was always magically ready to fly :)
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. Had to figure out where/how to park and I've YET to use a self-serve fuel station. Didn't think about anyone moving the plane so I've always set the e-brake and locked her up. Guess I should add a couple of things to my bucket list...
 
Part of the problem is that your run of the mill CFI rarely uses a plane for actual transportation other than maybe $100 hamburgers at local fields.

Certainly there are exceptions, but I'm speaking of typical "hour builder" CFIs
 
John221us said:
Teransient parking is often labeled around here. If it isn't, I usually find a spot near the pumps, because that is normally where mostly fields put transient.
Click to expand...

My first flight into Colorado Springs I followed a sign that said TRANSIENT AIRCRAFT and I ended up with a bunch of green airplanes and a giant sign that said "WELCOME TO NORAD."
 
dans2992 said:
Part of the problem is that your run of the mill CFI rarely uses a plane for actual transportation other than maybe $100 hamburgers at local fields.

Certainly there are exceptions, but I'm speaking of typical "hour builder" CFIs
Click to expand...

I also think the students want to finish their PPL in as few hours and least amount of $$$ as possible, and spending time/gas learning pumps, parking, etc. just adds to the cost.
 
flyingron said:
My first flight into Colorado Springs I followed a sign that said TRANSIENT AIRCRAFT and I ended up with a bunch of green airplanes and a giant sign that said "WELCOME TO NORAD."
Click to expand...


:rofl: Oops....that's really funny -- probably not for you at the time.
 
flyingron said:
My first flight into Colorado Springs I followed a sign that said TRANSIENT AIRCRAFT and I ended up with a bunch of green airplanes and a giant sign that said "WELCOME TO NORAD."
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's the kind of stuff I'd like to avoid. Or the more likely scenario of parking in someone's rented tie down spot.

fwiw, during ppl training we did visit an fbo, but it was Yingling at ICT, so we were directed into a spot and the line guys chocked the wheels. I was I had taken a picture, I was very amused seeing the tiny old trainer in the middle of a bunch of bizjets.
 
JoeFromKS said:
Thanks for the replies! Looks like I need to add at least chocks to my flight bag. I definitely do not trust the parking brakes in a rental.
I didn't even think of Unicom, but I guess that is exactly what it is for.
Click to expand...

Two 6" pieces of aluminum angle work great. If you're ambitious, drill a hole in them and knot a piece of rope through them. Light and compact.

Rope is cheap. Three 20' pieces should accommodate anything you run into. I've carried those and stakes since my first Oshkosh 30-some years ago where I bought them.
 
JoeFromKS said:
Yeah, that's the kind of stuff I'd like to avoid. Or the more likely scenario of parking in someone's rented tie down spot.

fwiw, during ppl training we did visit an fbo, but it was Yingling at ICT, so we were directed into a spot and the line guys chocked the wheels. I was I had taken a picture, I was very amused seeing the tiny old trainer in the middle of a bunch of bizjets.
Click to expand...

No need to avoid lol. Often times some one will come out to 'marshal' you into the spot they want.
 
JoeFromKS said:
Yeah, that's the kind of stuff I'd like to avoid. Or the more likely scenario of parking in someone's rented tie down spot.

fwiw, during ppl training we did visit an fbo, but it was Yingling at ICT, so we were directed into a spot and the line guys chocked the wheels. I was I had taken a picture, I was very amused seeing the tiny old trainer in the middle of a bunch of bizjets.
Click to expand...


The most "out of place" I've been in my lowly piston Comanche was Signature - LAS. I think I was the only Avgas burner there, and the line guys were curious about the plane ie "this burns 100LL, right?"
 
I carry a set of tie downs in the plane. Also check av web if staying overnight.
 
Airnav.com will get you pretty good info and reviews. There used to be runwayfinder.com that was good for getting an idea what the approaches and landmarks would be on arrival for first time visits.
 
danhagan said:
Airnav.com will get you pretty good info and reviews.
Click to expand...

Airnav is now (and has been for a few years) "pay to play". There are some perfectly fine FBOs out there to don't want to pay Airnav for a listing. Also, I've heard the paying customer have had some "influence" on getting bad reviews removed.

Not that I don't use it, just know the limitations of what you're getting.
 
Jeff Oslick said:
Airnav is now (and has been for a few years) "pay to play". There are some perfectly fine FBOs out there to don't want to pay Airnav for a listing. Also, I've heard the paying customer have had some "influence" on getting bad reviews removed.

Not that I don't use it, just know the limitations of what you're getting.
Click to expand...

I understand the pay for airnav for businesses. I mainly use it as an over-view if comparing potential landing sites, for phone numbers of FBO's, etc. Not so much for reviews, although I do look at them. An example is Austin TX. Have been flying there several times and reviewed KAUS, KEDC and Lakeside to see advantages/disadvantages after calling for overnight tie down, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top