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Thread: Tie downs in dry lake bed

  1. #1
    Pacer42Z's Avatar
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    Default Tie downs in dry lake bed

    I will be attending the High Sierra Fly-in at the Dead Cow lake bed in Nevada the middle of October. I have never used tie downs in a dry lake bed. I have the corkscrew type tie downs which work well anywhere I have been camping at the East Coast or Oshkosh (always on gras).

    Will I be able to get these tie downs into the ground? How hard is a dry lake bed?

    Juergen
    Pacer N3342Z

  2. #2
    Stephen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie downs in dry lake bed

    Quote Originally Posted by Pacer42Z View Post
    I will be attending the High Sierra Fly-in at the Dead Cow lake bed in Nevada the middle of October. I have never used tie downs in a dry lake bed. I have the corkscrew type tie downs which work well anywhere I have been camping at the East Coast or Oshkosh (always on gras).

    Will I be able to get these tie downs into the ground? How hard is a dry lake bed?

    Juergen
    Pacer N3342Z
    I've done a bit of flying on dry lake beds and I can't imagine a screw type anchor working. I would use something you can drive into the ground.
    "You can only tie the record for flying low."

  3. #3
    sierrasplitter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie downs in dry lake bed

    I have never flown my plane to HSF but I did drive in last year. People recommend using "The Claw"

    https://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/th...=c&matchtype=e

    I think you could also carry empty sandbags and fill them on site and use weight to hold the plane down

  4. #4
    Glen Geller's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie downs in dry lake bed

    Here is what we are going to try on the Alvord Desert in SE Oregon:

    Buy three of these:
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

    Buy a box of these (you will need twelve per plane, so talk to your friends about splitting the big box...):
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rit...GSPK/100176170

    Run your wing 10' long nylon strap tiedowns forward and outward about 6~8' from wing rings (45 degrees fwd of chord) and tail tiedown about 4~6' back from tail.
    Drive the spikes outward as much as possible thru holes in the anchor ring plates.
    YMMV.

    Have fun!

    GG
    Glen Geller
    1955 PA22-150 "One For Papa!"

  5. #5
    Flyjeep's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie downs in dry lake bed

    I bought these http://www.flyties.com

  6. #6
    Gilbert Pierce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie downs in dry lake bed

    I survived the hurricane at SnF and the wind storm at Spear Fish SD. that put airplanes near me on their back. I was using FlyTies.
    Lakeland FL., SnF, has very sandy soil.
    Last edited by Gilbert Pierce; 09-19-2019 at 12:25 PM.

  7. #7
    smcnutt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie downs in dry lake bed

    No dog in this fight but I just happened across this video. He doesn't seem to be a fan of any of them.

    https://youtu.be/Loq1olceSIE


    Here's another product. Good luck getting this sucker in the ground but it sure seems to hold.

    https://youtu.be/eW7vG7Qwmnc
    Last edited by smcnutt; 09-19-2019 at 04:01 PM.
    “Seek advice but use your own common sense.”
    ― Yiddish Proverb

  8. #8
    Administrator Steve Pierce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie downs in dry lake bed

    I was trying to get my Claws in on Nokai Dome in Utah and would always get to where one or two would hit a rock. Finally moved to new location. There was a thunderstorm coming around the mountains and the winds were getting strong. I tied down tailed into the wind with the flaps down and stacked the biggest rocks I could move around my tires. If I was at Dead Cow during a wind event I would dig holes for the wheels and push them into the holes. I have seen pictures of Stearmans at NAS Millington landing field secured this way.

  9. #9
    Subsonic's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie downs in dry lake bed

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Pierce View Post
    I was trying to get my Claws in on Nokai Dome in Utah and would always get to where one or two would hit a rock. Finally moved to new location. There was a thunderstorm coming around the mountains and the winds were getting strong. I tied down tailed into the wind with the flaps down and stacked the biggest rocks I could move around my tires. If I was at Dead Cow during a wind event I would dig holes for the wheels and push them into the holes. I have seen pictures of Stearmans at NAS Millington landing field secured this way.
    Geez. Great input, Steve. I bought latest and greatest version of FlyTies after all this info. But if things are going south fast, and you can't drive a spike in the ground...move around and dig some holes - pack some rocks. Yes I have a nice military camping shovel. Thx.

  10. #10
    Pacer42Z's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie downs in dry lake bed

    Here is a Picture of the tie downs I used at Dead Cow lake bed last week. Worked well, but next time I will look for longer nails. Mine were only about 12" long.

    Juergen
    Pacer N3342Z
    Attached Images Attached Images

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