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Thread: Tie down for Engine Break In

  1. #1
    Senior Member LSaupe's Avatar
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    Default Tie down for Engine Break In

    Is there a preferred tie down method for an engine break in (to not over stress and fuselage comonents)? Tail only... tail and mains, something else?

    This is a Model III with 582.

    Many thanks,

    Larry S.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Tie down for Engine Break In

    Larry, On my 1st run with my IO-240 powered Series 5 , I chocked both mains and tied my tailspring to a tree in my front yard, and the tree and plane stayed put. Have fun Bruce Lina

  3. #3

    Join Date
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    Default Re: Tie down for Engine Break In

    chock wheels and tie tailwheel down to anything over 1000 lbs

    I would suggest a hose tie wrapped to main gear spraying a mist to radiator

    your breakin will be about an hour if done correctly.


    have fun

  4. #4
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Smile Re: Tie down for Engine Break In

    If your rope is more than about 1 or 2 feet long be sure to keep the stick held back. You will be focused on the tach and EGT gauges and won't notice if the tail comes up.
    Tom Jones
    Classic 4 builder

  5. #5
    Senior Member Av8r_Sed's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie down for Engine Break In

    Short tether with a boat tie down strap from the tail spring to the hitch on my car. Don't do this if you're concerned about the state of the finish on your car.
    -- Paul S
    Model III SN910
    582 IVO Med

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Tie down for Engine Break In

    Landing was rough with the truck attached to the tail, but otherwise all
    went well ... Dodge Dakota, and a tow strap did the trick for me.

    Jeff

  7. #7
    Senior Member LSaupe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie down for Engine Break In

    Great feedback. Many thanks.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tie down for Engine Break In

    I had to chuckle when I read Av8r_Sed's comment about the state of finish on car.....It seems I tied my kitfoxes tail to the car in my garage, blocked the wheels (of the kitfox), totally forgot about my nice coffee cup sitting behind the airplane as well as a jacket and some other misc stuff...Jacket ended up in the back yard, the coffee cup in a million pieces and all the leaves in my neighbors yard.......oh well...but it was a great run up - still don't know where the misc went.......

    Dave S

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