Any tips or products you suggest to keep the controls from moving around when tied down? I have been using the ole seatbelt through the control but wonder if theres something better to use?

Patrick,

Many folks have more sophisticated gust locks but we still use the seat belt method. So far, 42 years, so good, during travels. At home in the hangar we don't tie them but do chock it.

Most pilots I know use a bungee cord to secure the yokes. That holds the ailerons, but not the elevators. (Probably not needed for them anyway.) There is hanger talk that securing with the seat belt has a deleterious long term effect on the controls. I have a sophisticated, adjustable floor to yoke control device I inherited and never used that you can have for the shipping and handling cost which I guess might be $20. There is no warranty implied or given. Dave Pyle dap8@comcast.net

I should mention we alternate which way we turn the yoke. Impact on rigging has not been noticed. Periodic re-rigging is done at annual - every 5- 10 years.

I use two bungee cords. The first runs around both yokes, and the second runs around the first bungee and down to the hand brake lever. All i care about is that the controls dont bang. A little movement is not a bad thing as long as it is dampened.

Zach

When I purchased the twin it had a Ashby gust lock that is very "over engineered" but works really well. Ashby has since sold the glareshield to Aircraft Spruce so I don't know if the gust lock device is still available... but if you find a used one, it is a nice device.
Jim

 

Pat,

I'm "Dave", not "Dan". Others at ICS have given me many different names. The incredible gust lock is on the way with other goodies.

Zach,

Hand brake? How old fashioned.

 

Be very careful with the Ashby gustlock that Dave is sending you. If the aircraft is towed, it can exert stress on the control column as well as the rudder peddles. It is best used when the aircraft is at its final parking position. Also, make sure the the anti-abrasion covers are installed on the hook ends. I can show you my pilots yoke where this device was used by a previous owner, and it chewed up the coating on the bottom cross bar of the yoke. Never install this on the copilots side either. It hides under the panel, and can be missed by the pilot if you are solo and jump across the front seat and strap in to the left.

-Zach

The Ashby gust lock came with a DO NOT TOW flag that attaches to the nose gear.

I use the bungee technique mentioned by Zach. Works well, takes up almost no room or weight.

Jay