FYI Travel chocks

[Neal]

It was great to meet @ve6yeq as he dropped in on his way north bound. Many things learned in our info share while here but one thing I liked that he had was Travel Chocks. Something I need as I considered how to travel with chocks as mine are heavy rubber compound type and the wood ones that were left in my hangar from the prior tenant are more for Cessna's. So these arrived (large/red) and will answer the need perfectly.

​

Travel Chocks | Aircraft Spruce ®

Travel Chocks Travel chocks are a very light weight wheel chock designed for airplanes and other vehicles.

www.aircraftspruce.com

Thanks Craig!

 

[Cactus Charlie]

One of the reviews gave 4 stars and this comment - "Was loading the plane onto my tug and it pushed the tires onto and flattened out the chock."

Why would anyone give 4 stars to a chock that can be flattened by the wheel it was intended to chock?

At remote strips I usually chock with rocks. Usually a lot to choose from but I have a pet pair at one strip I visit frequently.

Long term at paved airports it's in the hangar or tied down. Short term I set the brakes if it's windy.

 

[Neal]

Probably bought wrong size. These are hefty yet not too heavy.

My typical plan is brake set on one side so the plane turns and not nose over.

Hangar preferred if overnight and available. Tie down too but for a fly-in type situation these will help.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

My typical plan is brake set on one side so the plane turns and not nose over.

How would that work?

In a strong wind with no tie downs available I park tail into the wind and trim full nose down. That lowers the elevator and stab so the tail is pushed down.

Both brakes are set since, if the aircraft rotates, the wind can get under a wing and flip the aircraft on its back (a roll-over not a nose-over).

 

[Neal]

Main concern is prop or jet blast.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

Main concern is prop or jet blast.

How would either cause a nose-over and how would locking one wheel mitigate the risk?

Perhaps a couple of diagrams showing the blast direction and the aircraft position before and after rotation would help.

 

[Waldom]

Never had a Travel Chock brand product collapse. Are you sure this is the brand your friend was talking about, Cactus Charlie?

These are what I recommend for onboard equipment to new aircraft owners. They are strong, durable, light and stack to pack small.

Neal, the size you selected is suitable for tundra tires. The smaller size works well on the 8.00 x 4 tires on our PA-11.

Can't say I like the idea of chocking one main wheel so the airplane can pivot. If there is a chance the airplane will be subject to jet blast of surface wind, I tie it down securely with no slack in the ropes.