Tie down into the wind?

[cgrab]

With all the winds whipping through the last few days, I'm glad I have a hangar but if I was to tie down outside at an airport, I think the geometry is wrong.

I believe the best way to tie down a plane in windy conditions is nose into the wind. after all, that's how the plane was designed. Most airports I visit have the tie downs perpendicular to the runway and thus the prevailing wind is always across the nose of the plane and could potentially lift a wing and flip it.

Things have worked out for the past several decades but one wonders if there is a better way.

 

[coloradobluesky]

Yes, tie down into the wind. But the wind changes. Best to have aileron, elevator and rudder gust locks. Sometimes you can lock them by tying the controls inside the plane. Also, put the flaps in a position where they are locked too of course.

 

[citizen5000]

If you have a big investment in an aircraft (and/or it's fairly new) you will not tie-down in high winds (above 30kts). You will hangar. And if on the road you will fly to a location to avoid the winds. Some desert locations also add sand to the wind.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

Given a choice, tie tail to the wind to minimize the forces on the tiedown lines.

 

[bobmrg]

Another ploy is to lash two-by-fours to the top of the wing and horizontal stab to kill any lift that might be generated, My personal preference is nose into the wind.

 

[MAKG1]

Wind direction changes. Tie down at three points WITH NO SLACK, and with "cinching" or positively engaging tiedowns. If you must use a hook, use one that closes or at least has two hooks on each end.

 

[DesertNomad]

Winds are gusting to 50kts in Reno today. even with a hangar it will be full of dust and dirt tomorrow. Wind coming out of the south right at my south-facing hangar door.

 

[citizen5000]

Winds are gusting to 50kts in Reno today. even with a hangar it will be full of dust and dirt tomorrow. Wind coming out of the south right at my south-facing hangar door.

Better a little dirt on the floor than a plane torn up by those winds out on the ramp.

 

[dell30rb]

Winds are gusting to 50kts in Reno today. even with a hangar it will be full of dust and dirt tomorrow. Wind coming out of the south right at my south-facing hangar door.

G45 in Raleigh today

 

[Stewartb]

I've tied down outside for 25 years. Nose to the wind is best when the winds are howling. Alaskans use spoiler wing covers to kill lift but in high winds wing covers beat on the plane so mine come off when winds are above 40. In 2003 we had a windstorm with recorded sustained winds of 117mph at Lake Hood. The wind hit my 180 quartering from the right rear. It survived without any problem. Cubs that parked tail to the wind had struts fold and wings destroyed. Into the wind, no problem as long as the earth anchors and ropes were up to the task. Most were, some failed. 50 mph winds don't get much attention from guys with outdoor airplanes. When it gets up toward 70 they start babysitting. Not that you can do much. Tie more ropes on the planes upwind of yours. That's where the damage comes from. Maybe park a truck on the upwind side. You sure won't untie the plane to spin it.

External gust locks are imperative in high winds. Cabin control locks are a bad idea. Rudders are the hardest surface to secure. Winds from the side are a nuisance when they're blowing hard because there's no good way to lock the rudder and leaving it unsecured may allow it to beat against the stops. Elevators don't need to be locked when the winds are from the nose. The rudder concerns apply to elevators when the wind is on the tail. It's definitely easier on the plane to favor nose to the wind.

 

[islandboy]

Self-explanatory...and here is a Google Maps view of the carnage: https://www.google.com/maps/@18.1008128,-63.0466636,131m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

[AKBill]

Winds are gusting to 50kts in Reno today. even with a hangar it will be full of dust and dirt tomorrow. Wind coming out of the south right at my south-facing hangar door.

Lived in Elko, NV for a bit dust was like fine silt. Unless it was air tight the dust got in....

 

[AKBill]

I've tied down outside for 25 years. Nose to the wind is best when the winds are howling. Alaskans use spoiler wing covers to kill lift but in high winds wing covers beat on the plane so mine come off when winds are above 40. I

I've been parked outside for 20+ years. I to have the spoiler covers, personally I think they work great.

Had a out house beak loose of its spot in a wind storm and it smacked my left wing tip.. Had to replace it..