tiedown rant

GeorgeC

GeorgeC

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GeorgeC
GeorgeC! What is best in life? Digging out a tiedown packed with dirt, like a gopher, on a hot ramp.

Seriously, am I supposed to carry a dustbuster? At least it wasn't wet.
IMG_3169.jpg
 
GeorgeC said:
GeorgeC! What is best in life? Digging out a tiedown packed with dirt, like a gopher, on a hot ramp.

Seriously, am I supposed to carry a dustbuster? At least it wasn't wet.
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I got to Rough River and the robe that was provided was so thick that there was no room for any other kind of tie down other than a piece of rope into the ground.
The ropes provided were about a foot too short for my 172 and too thick.
 
This, with a pull-tab type ring rather than the slot (which would just fill with dirt) to open the cover. It works for floor-mounted receptacles, so why not for a tie down?
4cb4188e1a83f0d64db0dc4f07e221da.jpg
 
Even better when it has rained and there are no ropes, and you have to shove your fingers in oily goo. Sebring, looking at you.

Would be nice if FBOs flushed them out and replaced the ropes every year or two.
 
I bought some legit climbing carabiners and tied one to each of my tiedown ropes. They are rated for more weight than the rope. Much nicer and easier for those wet/ muddy/ dirt filled anchor points. They work on cables & chains, too, and cuts my knot tying time in half.
 
I don't mind getting my hands dirty, but I do mind getting my ropes dirty. I use anchor shackles at home, maybe I need to pick some up for the road...
 
GeorgeC said:
GeorgeC! What is best in life? Digging out a tiedown packed with dirt, like a gopher, on a hot ramp.

Seriously, am I supposed to carry a dustbuster? At least it wasn't wet.
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I got scolded once (Ramona, CA) for using a hammer and screwdriver to clean out a tie down sufficiently to allow a rope through. I didn't argue with the guy, but WTF was I supposed to do? I wanted to say something sarcastic like, just take $100 off the bill to compensate me for the airport improvements, but I was leaving the plane there for a couple months and had no other options, so didn't feel like I could risk and fight and being kicked out.

On top of that, my tire gradually went flat while I was gone and they didn't bother to let me know what was happening. I totally understand why someone might be reluctant to proactively get out there and top it off. But a phone call? email? Seems like they could have done that.
 
Well, I tried taking the anchor shackles on tour with me. They work great except for when they don't, because they're not one size fits all. Can't do much about the water and muck, but I did cut out some lengths of bicycle inner tube so that the rope won't abrade against the metal...
 
rwellner98 said:
On top of that, my tire gradually went flat while I was gone and they didn't bother to let me know what was happening. I totally understand why someone might be reluctant to proactively get out there and top it off. But a phone call? email? Seems like they could have done that.
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The planes I see out on tiedowns barely get visited by their owners, certainly nobody is out there proactively hunting for squawks on the forgotten Aero Commander 560 that was there since the Carter era. And I swear every airport I frequent has one of those piles.

I'm kinda curious who you thought monitors the planes on the tiedown lines and hunts for proactive opportunities to report change?
 
kc4wsd said:
This, with a pull-tab type ring rather than the slot (which would just fill with dirt) to open the cover. It works for floor-mounted receptacles, so why not for a tie down?
4cb4188e1a83f0d64db0dc4f07e221da.jpg
Click to expand...
The first rain or dirt blowing will get in the hinges and they will stick up - a nice blade to cut any tire that gets too close.
 
schmookeeg said:
The planes I see out on tiedowns barely get visited by their owners, certainly nobody is out there proactively hunting for squawks on the forgotten Aero Commander 560 that was there since the Carter era. And I swear every airport I frequent has one of those piles.

I'm kinda curious who you thought monitors the planes on the tiedown lines and hunts for proactive opportunities to report change?
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Not even proactively looking. This airport had an FBO and linemen. There were employees around the ramp constantly. My plane was visible from the interior of the FBO. When I stepped through the door on my return, I could see from a distance that something was wrong.

I can understand wanting to give benefit of the doubt, but in this case, there really wasn't any wiggle room. They messed up in a way that is minor, but still inexcusable.
 
GeorgeC said:
Well, I tried taking the anchor shackles on tour with me. They work great except for when they don't, because they're not one size fits all. Can't do much about the water and muck, but I did cut out some lengths of bicycle inner tube so that the rope won't abrade against the metal...
Click to expand...

I might try a couple of carabiners. Got a whole footlocker full of rock climbing gear from younger days, when my shoulders and knees could keep up with my need to scare myself. Now I gotta use machines.
 
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Ed Haywood said:
I might try a couple of carabiners. Got a whole footlocker full of rock climbing gear from younger days, when my shoulders and knees could keep up with my need to scare myself. Now I gotta use machines.
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I use retired rock-climbing carabiners at the ground ends of my tiedown lines. Lines are tied to the carabiners with a bowline.
At some inset tiedowns, I wonder if the rebar they use is weaker than the carabiner.
 
I bought this thing called an air-duster. They are small hand held cordless mini blowers that range for $20-$80 on Amazon. I bought the expensive one called a Wolfbox MF100 and I can attest it would do the job. I use the thing all the time for all sorts of stuff.
 
Silvaire said:
I bought this thing called an air-duster. They are small hand held cordless mini blowers that range for $20-$80 on Amazon. I bought the expensive one called a Wolfbox MF100 and I can attest it would do the job. I use the thing all the time for all sorts of stuff.
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That would save me from bringing the leaf blower inside when it's time to dust under the beds...
 
GeorgeC said:
GeorgeC! What is best in life? Digging out a tiedown packed with dirt, like a gopher, on a hot ramp.

Seriously, am I supposed to carry a dustbuster? At least it wasn't wet.
View attachment 145116
Click to expand...
nice tie down ring. I wouldn't gripe. Try tying down somewhere there are no rings, the ground is hard as cement, and it's windy
 
My ramp has tiedowns that look like the one in the original post. You just need to keep them clean (usually not that big of a deal).

In my lawn, I have three more sets of tiedowns. I used a swing set auger set down below the surface of the ground. Around it is a sprikler valve box with lid. In fact, I can cram the entire tiedown rope inside the valve box.
 
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