Microlighters

What is the correct way to tie down a trike ?

Tiedown attach through the inspection zips and around the spreader bar. You can pack the tiedowns into the wing when not using them. Not sure if nose into prevailing wind or side on and wing dipped is best.

Hi Ou Man

Here is a method that is very effective. These pictures were taken at Port Nolloth during our Kalahari/West Coast expedition. The wind was gusting about 20 mph by this time.

The wing is held level by making up 2 ropes (6mm Braided Polyester works well) that can go from the front fork to the 2 corners of the A- Bar, and to the back wheels. We use a loop tied into the rope to form a "truckers hitch" in order to pull these ropes very tight. A level wing presents the least area to wind from any direction, so is a bit of insurance if the wind direction changes during the night. Obviously park the trike with the nose straight into the wind, if possible.

The wings are then pegged to the ground using ropes which are permanently stored bundled into the wings, attached where the spreader bar joins the leading edge, and accessed through the inspection zips. We tend to ties down with 2 ropes spread outboard of the wing attachment and a few metres apart to prevent the wing swinging. The front wheel can now also be pegged down, and a tie- down can be added over the gearbow to the ground as well.

If necessary if expecting very high winds, a line can be pegged from the wing nose as well, but is not often needed. When tying down on sand, it also helps to dig small depressions in front of each wheel and push the trike into them, so the wheels are half buried - much better than chocks! Otherwise chock with rocks.

We tend to keep all tie down equipment - ropes, pegs and covers - with the trike at all times. If you ever have to land to sit out a squall or a storm, the ability to tike down is infinitely better than having to sit in the trike and hold the wing while the storm rages.

We used this method to tie down our trikes at the runway at Port St Johns, and it probably blew 30 mph one night, which had us driving up the mountain at 4 am to check them,and none of us had a problem.

Thanx for the reply