TheDoc
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Hey all, this was shared by the Northeast Pilots Group (NEPG) on meetup.com and I thought it contained some good information so figured I would share it here.
[FONT="]Hurricane Joaquin is currently over the Bahamas, with a projected track up the East Coast over the next several days. Most weather models show it affecting our area Monday night with the greatest strength winds occurring Tuesday afternoon (39-73 MPH!!!). While there is still some uncertainty if it will continue on that path, weve decided to issue a preliminary warning to the membership, along with a few suggested actions you can take this weekend to ensure your aircraft are safe. This should enable everyone to take at least basic measures to ensure the safety and security of their aircraft.
[FONT="]Tied-down Aircraft[/FONT]:
[FONT="]1)[/FONT] Inspect your tie-down ropes to ensure they aren't worn. Re-tie the knots to take out the slack in the rope, using at least two knots. The tie-down points on each wing should be secured first; then the plane pulled back until the wing ropes are taught. Secure the tail tie-down last. This way all slack is taken out of the tie-down ropes. A common mistake is that the wing tie-down ropes [FONT="]stretch backward to the pavement points[/FONT], leaving the chocks as the only real security against unwanted aircraft travel.
[FONT="]2)[/FONT] After the aircraft is secured and snug against the tie-down ropes, ensure the aircraft is properly chocked. We recommend chocking at least two wheels; this helps prevent the aircraft from yawing on the tie-down due to the high winds. If you have only one chock, place it under a main wheel- that's where most of the aircraft weight is, so the chock will be most effective. If you have two chocks, use them on both main wheels. Wedge the chocks firmly between the tire and the pavement; rolling the aircraft very slightly can help wedge the chocks, making them more effective
[FONT="]3)[/FONT] If you have any utility boxes next to your tie-down, consider [FONT="]removing them to prevent damage[/FONT] to your own aircraft or others. The [FONT="]tie-downs are NOT designed to accommodate these boxes [/FONT]and don't have provisions to secure them to the pavement. If they can't be easily moved, tie them to an anchor and place sandbags or cinderblocks inside to help keep it from moving.
[FONT="]4)[/FONT] Check that your flight controls are properly secured against unnecessary movement per the POH instructions. A seatbelt can be used to pull the yoke back and to one side if a yoke pin is unavailable. [FONT="]Ensure that the rudder has also been secured [/FONT]to prevent unnecessary side-to-side movement.
[FONT="]5)[/FONT] Check over your aircraft and ensure all openings are properly closed, cowl plugs won't become dislodged, any aircraft cover is properly snugged and secured, and the aircraft is sealed against sideways rain. Take any loose straps and tuck them under the cover or secure them to prevent cosmetic damage to the aircraft
[FONT="]6)[/FONT] Inspect the area around your tie-down for potential missile hazards. POU has a history of items being picked up and hurled into nearby aircraft. A few years ago, the port-a-potty on Juliet was knocked over and traveled 10 feet before landing in a ditch! If you find anything, either remove the items or contact Airport Operations to have them properly secured. Even if the item isn't yours, it can still hurt your plane!
[FONT="]Hangared Aircraft:[/FONT]
[FONT="]1)[/FONT] Check that your aircraft is closed up and sealed against any rain that may make it into the hangar due to sideways rain.
[FONT="]2)[/FONT] Ensure your aircraft is properly chocked.
[FONT="]3)[/FONT] Check your hangar floor for anything that may incur water damage from flooding, especially electrical components such as extension cords or heaters. Unplug unnecessary equipment. Water intrusion into the hangars is more common when it is windy and rainy.
[FONT="]4)[/FONT] Check that the main hangar door is closed. Also ensure that the door latches are engaged and that the main door pins are secured in the floor. When viewed from the outside, the main door should look flush with adjacent doors and flat.
[FONT="]5)[/FONT] When leaving, firmly close the "people" door and lock it.
Track Hurricane Joaquin at the link below, but don't delay your preps! If you can't get to the airport this weekend, you can call Line Services and ask them to take care of these items for you.
[FONT="]Hurricane Joaquin[/FONT]
Thank you for being a good neighbor!
NEPG Leadership[/FONT]
[FONT="]Hurricane Joaquin is currently over the Bahamas, with a projected track up the East Coast over the next several days. Most weather models show it affecting our area Monday night with the greatest strength winds occurring Tuesday afternoon (39-73 MPH!!!). While there is still some uncertainty if it will continue on that path, weve decided to issue a preliminary warning to the membership, along with a few suggested actions you can take this weekend to ensure your aircraft are safe. This should enable everyone to take at least basic measures to ensure the safety and security of their aircraft.
[FONT="]Tied-down Aircraft[/FONT]:
[FONT="]1)[/FONT] Inspect your tie-down ropes to ensure they aren't worn. Re-tie the knots to take out the slack in the rope, using at least two knots. The tie-down points on each wing should be secured first; then the plane pulled back until the wing ropes are taught. Secure the tail tie-down last. This way all slack is taken out of the tie-down ropes. A common mistake is that the wing tie-down ropes [FONT="]stretch backward to the pavement points[/FONT], leaving the chocks as the only real security against unwanted aircraft travel.
[FONT="]2)[/FONT] After the aircraft is secured and snug against the tie-down ropes, ensure the aircraft is properly chocked. We recommend chocking at least two wheels; this helps prevent the aircraft from yawing on the tie-down due to the high winds. If you have only one chock, place it under a main wheel- that's where most of the aircraft weight is, so the chock will be most effective. If you have two chocks, use them on both main wheels. Wedge the chocks firmly between the tire and the pavement; rolling the aircraft very slightly can help wedge the chocks, making them more effective
[FONT="]3)[/FONT] If you have any utility boxes next to your tie-down, consider [FONT="]removing them to prevent damage[/FONT] to your own aircraft or others. The [FONT="]tie-downs are NOT designed to accommodate these boxes [/FONT]and don't have provisions to secure them to the pavement. If they can't be easily moved, tie them to an anchor and place sandbags or cinderblocks inside to help keep it from moving.
[FONT="]4)[/FONT] Check that your flight controls are properly secured against unnecessary movement per the POH instructions. A seatbelt can be used to pull the yoke back and to one side if a yoke pin is unavailable. [FONT="]Ensure that the rudder has also been secured [/FONT]to prevent unnecessary side-to-side movement.
[FONT="]5)[/FONT] Check over your aircraft and ensure all openings are properly closed, cowl plugs won't become dislodged, any aircraft cover is properly snugged and secured, and the aircraft is sealed against sideways rain. Take any loose straps and tuck them under the cover or secure them to prevent cosmetic damage to the aircraft
[FONT="]6)[/FONT] Inspect the area around your tie-down for potential missile hazards. POU has a history of items being picked up and hurled into nearby aircraft. A few years ago, the port-a-potty on Juliet was knocked over and traveled 10 feet before landing in a ditch! If you find anything, either remove the items or contact Airport Operations to have them properly secured. Even if the item isn't yours, it can still hurt your plane!
[FONT="]Hangared Aircraft:[/FONT]
[FONT="]1)[/FONT] Check that your aircraft is closed up and sealed against any rain that may make it into the hangar due to sideways rain.
[FONT="]2)[/FONT] Ensure your aircraft is properly chocked.
[FONT="]3)[/FONT] Check your hangar floor for anything that may incur water damage from flooding, especially electrical components such as extension cords or heaters. Unplug unnecessary equipment. Water intrusion into the hangars is more common when it is windy and rainy.
[FONT="]4)[/FONT] Check that the main hangar door is closed. Also ensure that the door latches are engaged and that the main door pins are secured in the floor. When viewed from the outside, the main door should look flush with adjacent doors and flat.
[FONT="]5)[/FONT] When leaving, firmly close the "people" door and lock it.
Track Hurricane Joaquin at the link below, but don't delay your preps! If you can't get to the airport this weekend, you can call Line Services and ask them to take care of these items for you.
[FONT="]Hurricane Joaquin[/FONT]
Thank you for being a good neighbor!
NEPG Leadership[/FONT]
