It seems like every year a good storm rolls through one air show or another. If your plane is not firmly tied down it can go for a flight all by itself with incredible damage possible such as as this  Sun-n-fun plane damage or this or this. Don’t end up like this.

Tie Down systems like The Claw are great for keeping your plane firmly on the earth while at a flyin, but they’re pretty expensive. We built our own for under $30. Here’s how you can too.

What you’ll need:

• 3 to 4 feet of slotted steel angle from a home store. $7.55 at Lowes
• 12 inch nail (Grip-Rite 12-in x 3/8-in Spike) you will need 9 to 12 of these $.78 each at Lowes
• Tie down cord (Braided Polypropylene Rope – 5/8 inch). $.68 / foot at Lowes

Have the slotted steel cut into 3 equal lengths at the home store, or you can cut it at home with a Dremel tool or a hack saw with a metal blade. While at the home store, check to make sure the 12 inch nails will fit into the slots, if they don’t you’ll need a drill bit big enough to expand the holes to handle the nails

 

Total Costs:

$7.55 – Slotted angle steel
$9.36 – Nails
$10.20 – 15 feet of rope
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$27.11 – total cost (before optional paint)