nonradio
18th Oct 2002, 16:31
I note that many folk tie-down/park aircraft into wind but with the stick/CC tied back, ie elevators up. Anyone care to explain why? I have always secured the stick/CC forward.Especially if it's windy.
foxmoth
18th Oct 2002, 17:35
Either stick back and into wind or stick forward as you say if tail to wind. only trouble with tail to wind without PROPER control locks (ie. ones that HOLD the control SURFACES) is that a strong wind can bang the surfaces about - especially the rudder, and damage them.
nonradio
18th Oct 2002, 18:36
FM: yeah, but if the stick is back and aircraft parked into wind into wind, then there is nothing to reduce angle of attack - tail sits firmly on ground and aircraft blows away.. elevator down on the other hand tail rises and reduces AoA, especially if you have no mooring lines. Having said that in anything very, very strong, tail into wind is the way to go, surfaces secured against banging about - at least it won't takeoff. Saw 2 Luscombes depart once both into wind and elevator hard up. Even a quite small machine could lift 1000lbs +, which is 500lbs per tie down, faced into wind.