Sometimes I drive two sticks down in the dirt.
Then the plane is placed with the fuselage between these sticks so the stab holds the plane.

A few words of warning though...

- If you're new at this, be careful and have someone with you when you mess with the engine. If you loose a finger you might be to chocked to go/call for help.

- Don't sit and tune the engine from the front, this is a big NO NO even if you have it tied down. The plane might come loose, the firewall might rip out or the pro break/come loose.

- There's always the chance you forget yourself and reach for the needle through the prop arch, so again...Never tune from the front!