Sun n' Fun 2011

[cashflyer]

Sun n' Fun » Home

Any Pelicans going?
If my work schedule doesn't change, I am thinking about it.


Any tips from the previous attendees?

[URY914]

I live about 20 minutes from there and have never been. Always wanted to....

[cashflyer]

Well, I didn't get to go. Time and money, work schedule, etc.
And in light of these videos, I am glad I didn't.


YouTube - Thunder storm at Sun-N-Fun Air show

YouTube - Storm Rips Sun 'n Fun

[Tim Hancock]

I have flown there and camped under the wing twice..... 10 or so hours of flying time from northern Ohio makes it just not worth it to me anymore. Thank god I did not go this year..... I am always fearful of bad storms at these events. I have been awakened in the middle of the night at Oshkosh several times by my tent being blown down on top of me in high winds. While I use very long heavy duty tie down stakes with strong rope, I always worry about my neighbors planes being blown into mine that are sometimes only tied down with flimsy flea market dog tie down stakes. On top of that, the risk of hail a bad hail storm is always frightening with thousands of airplanes tied down outside subjected to mother nature's fury.

[kach22i]

Horrible, just horrible.

First read about it here:
http://www.hoverclubofamerica.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=2346&st=0&gopid=22979&#entry22979

[widgeon13]

I just got back, wish I had seen this earlier. I flew in commercially on Thursday when the weather was miserable. Glad I wasn't in the Maule. Still a good deal of destruction and lots of mud there on Friday but everyone seemed to survive.

Blue Angels alone were worth the trip.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

I always worry about my neighbors planes being blown into mine that are sometimes only tie down with flimsy flea market dog tie down stakes.

Hey! I tied down the 172 with these!

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Hey! I tied down the 172 with these!

Please dont park next to me at Oshkosh.... At least weld the damn handle loop and buy the ones made from wire thicker than 3/16" dia.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

At least weld the damn handle loop and buy the ones made from wire thicker than 3/16" dia.

Other than the handle needing to be welded, do you feel that they are less safe than this type?



Those are what is found on my local grass strip.

Google provides me with a LOT of options for tie downs, and they range from useless to needing a D9 to install.

[romad]

No sun or fun.
The larger auger area would be better. A even better set up would be to trianglulate with two stakes per tie down. And never forget the tail. I seen a 172 flip around its wing tie downs.

[romad]

In conditions like that maybe you can tie down loosly and fly it in place.

[cgarr]

Here it is hanging from the wing:

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by cgarr

Here it is hanging from the wing:[/IMG]

At least the rope didn't come out of the triangle.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Other than the handle needing to be welded, do you feel that they are less safe than this type?



Those are what is found on my local grass strip.

Google provides me with a LOT of options for tie downs, and they range from useless to needing a D9 to install.

These look nearly identical to mine.... The steel rod portion is 3/8" dia IIRC and they are about 18" long.

And yes... when fully screwed all the way in, they are much stronger than the dog tie out stakes that are typically only screwed in about half as deep.

Some folks also like to use motorcycle tie down straps. I suppose some are decent, but as they age..... especially if they are used outside as permanent airport tie downs, the sun deteriorates the material (especially the thread used to sew the end loops) and they can break relatively easy. A few years ago I repaired a Grumman Yankee that was damaged at an airport due to the plane next to it breaking it's tie down "motorcycle" straps. They failed at the sewn ends.

[cashflyer]

From my FAA newsletter today:

March Goes “Out Like a Lion” at Sun ’n Fun
If you didn’t already have a healthy respect for Mother Nature’s power, just have a chat with anyone who was at last week’s Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo. Nearly 70 aircraft and several exhibit areas were damaged when a destructive thunderstorm moved through the Lakeland, Fla., area late in the morning on Mar. 31. Thankfully there were only minor injuries reported, but the passing storm left many lamenting the loss of their precious winged assets while others scoured their aircraft meticulously for any damage.

Since few places are immune to occasional bad weather, early spring is a good time to review the basics of post-storm inspections. Storm damage caused by strong winds, hail, or flying debris is often obvious, but can also be insidious. When assessing storm damage on your aircraft, use your preflight checklist as a guide and thoroughly cover all areas. Look for structural damage around control hinges and inspect the aircraft skin for signs of dimpling or tearing. For more helpful tips on how to perfect your preflight and keep your aircraft safe before and after a storm, check out the FAA Safety Briefing articles “Hailstones, Hitches, and Hauling Wind” (Jul./Aug. 2010 issue) and “Going Beyond Preflight” (Mar./Apr. 2011 issue). Both articles are available at FAA Safety Briefing.